Dhaka: A cleric has been beaten by worshippers in northern Bangladesh for making derogatory remarks about Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during a pre-prayer sermon.
Patdhari Purbaparha Mosque Imam Shariful Islam was assaulted by a group of devotees at Ullapara in Sirajganj after he made "disparaging comments" about the prime minister on Friday, police said.
The cleric during the sermon said "Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is trying to oppress the clerics and ruin mosques and madrasas," bdnews24 online quoted Salanga Police Station OC Rezaul Islam as saying.
The statement evoked strong reaction from a group of devotees, who assaulted and confined the cleric after the prayer was over.
Supporters of the cleric later tried to rescue him, sparking a clash with the assaulters in which at least 10 people were wounded.
Later police reached the spot and brought the situation under control.
The police official said no one was arrested as nobody has lodged a formal complaint over the matter.
