Local Correspondence: A 15-year-old student from Bagmara, Rajshahi, has been arrested for allegedly making offensive remarks about Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on social media.
The incident led to protests demanding the death penalty for the teenager.
On Friday afternoon, a protest rally was held in the city’s Madrasa Mor area, organized by Tohidi Janata under the leadership of former youth leader of the BNP.
The rally was held to demand justice for the alleged blasphemy, with a large deployment of law enforcement officers to prevent any disorder or clashes. Despite the high tension, no untoward incidents occurred.
The teenager, who belongs to a minority community, was apprehended by a group of people on Thursday night and handed over to the police.
After filing a case against him for allegedly offending religious sentiments, the police presented him before the court around noon the following day.
The teenager’s family has gone into hiding following the incident, and their statements could not be obtained.
Local representatives confirmed that the teenager’s father is a leader of the local Awami League and a businessman.
Officer-in-charge of Taherpur Police Investigation Center, Sub-Inspector (SI) Sohel Hossain, stated that the teenager was arrested, and the situation was immediately brought under control.
To avoid the risk of attack, he was transferred to police custody in Rajshahi instead of being kept in Bagmara.