BNP on Saturday demanded the immediate and unconditional release of teacher AKM Shahidul Islam, who was arrested over allegations of making derogatory remarks about BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman.

The party made the demand in a statement, signed by its Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

“BNP believes that in a democratic country, every person has the freedom to express their views. That is why BNP has long been fighting for democracy and for people’s freedom of speech and personal liberty,” the statement reads.

It says BNP also believes that freedom of expression is a fundamental human and civic right, which allows individuals to express their thoughts, opinions and beliefs without fear.

“So, the BNP thinks that the arrest and imprisonment of AKM Shahidul Islam for expressing his own views was not right. We urge the authorities to respect the democratic rights of the people by immediately releasing AKM Shahidul Islam unconditionally,” the party said.

AKM Shahidul Islam was detained by police from the Shahbagh area of the capital on Saturday over allegations of making derogatory comments about Tarique Rahman during his visit to Sharif Osman Hadi’s grave.

He was later shown arrested under Section 54 of the Code of Criminal Procedure and sent to jail through a court order.

Police said Shahidul Islam is serving as the vice-principal of Gabtoli Technical Training Centre in Dhaka.