Blasphemous film: IJT vents anger outside US consulate
LAHORE: Expressing anger and rage over the sacrilege movie made in the US, Islami Jamiat Talaba’s (IJT) Punjab chapter organised a demonstration outside the American consulate on Wednesday. Their march towards the consulate was, however, stopped by 1,500 policemen who had blocked roads leading to the building.
Hundreds of students affiliated with Jamaat-e-Islami’s student wing, IJT, participated in the protest demonstration against the anti-Islam film. The protesters from University of the Punjab, University of Engineering and Technology and different colleges were carrying placards and banners inscribed with slogans against America and the blasphemous act. They also burnt a US flag and an effigy of the film producer.
The protesters offered Zuhr prayers outside the Lahore Press Club and later shouted slogans against the anti-Islam film and the US.
The protesters were also carrying sticks and bottles, which they used to attack police. They tried to cross road blockades to reach the US consulate but heavy contingents of police stopped them. IJT members demanded stern action against filmmaker and also burnt tyres to vent their anger. They also delivered speeches against the filmmaker and US government.
They demanded the US government punish the filmmaker and apologise to Muslims. They also called for removing the blasphemous movie from all websites within seven days.
They also criticised Pakistani rulers, saying that they had “sold their dignity and self- respect and are not registering their protest with the US”. The protesters also criticised the UET vice chancellor for expelling students from the university for participating in the rally against the blasphemy movie.
Anticipating a possible march towards the US consulate, roads leading to the diplomatic mission have been blocked with containers. Hundreds of policemen have been deployed to maintain order during protests.
Shops, offices and fuel stations on or near Davis Road and Shimla Pahari Chowk remained closed during the protest while traffic jams were also witnessed.
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