*DHAKA: *Thousands of people marched on the street of the Bangladeshicapital Dhaka after Friday prayers, protesting against anti-Muslim violencein the Indian capital Delhi.
At least 42 people have been killed and more than 200 injured in thecommunal violence that has continued in New Delhi since Sunday.
The protesters called on the Bangladeshi government to cancel theinvitation to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is scheduled tovisit Dhaka on March 17.
Modi has been invited to address a function marking the 100th birthanniversary of the father of the nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The protesters said that invitation to Modi is an insult to the 1971liberation war of Bangladesh and disrespect to the non communal freedomicon of the nation.
The march was organised by six Muslim political groups at the initiative ofJamiat Ulema-e Islam General Secretary Nur Hossain Qasmi. There was massivepolice deployment around the protest area.
On Thursday, Hefazate Islam Bangladesh, another platform Muslim group inthe country, also urged the government in a statement to cancel theinvitation to Modi.
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Students of the country’s largest Dhaka University also held a rallyprotesting the deaths in Delhi violence. The university’s students unionleader Nurul Haq Nur said that students would not welcome Indian primeminister as the event speaker.
The general secretary of ruling Awami League party Obaidul Quader, however,said that the government will receive Modi to participate in the event as agesture of gratefulness to Indian, who helped Bangladesh during theliberation war.
He further added that the communal clashes in the Indian capital Delhi werean “internal issue” of India.
Clashes between pro- and anti-citizenship law protesters started on Sundayand turned into communal clashes between Hindus and Muslims.
The northeastern part of Delhi has been affected the most as riotersransacked and set ablaze mosques, houses, schools, and businesses. -Anadolu Agency
