KARACHI, Aug 24: A sea of surging crowds lined the city’s arterial road on Thursday and responded with a thundering “yes” when Muttahida Quami Movement chief Altaf Hussain asked them if Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal legislators should be taken to court for committing an act of sacrilege by shredding copies of the bill containing amendments to the controversial Hudood laws.

Mr Hussain’s other demands – like immediate banning of the religious alliance and unseating of MMA lawmakers – also found quick endorsement from MQM activists who carried black flags and wore black armbands as mark of protest over the manner in which MMA legislators went on the warpath the day the government tabled the Criminal Law (Amendment) (Protection of Women) Bill.

The MQM chief employed choice expressions to criticise MMA parliamentarians for setting foot on the text of the bill that contained many references to the Quran, Hadith and Allah.

Nasty traffic jams were in evidence in most of the downtown when the M. A. Jinnah Road was closed to traffic to allow the MQM to hold a meeting. Commercial centres near the Tibet Centre and adjoining areas were closed as part of security arrangements. Neighbouring schools and cinemas also remained closed.

Large numbers of MQM sympathisers came to the venue of the rally hours before its commencement time and whiled away their leisurely hours by chanting slogans against the MMA. MQM legislators, town nazims and members of the coordination committee were also in attendance.

The MQM chief said the Constitution held little brief for those who showed disrespect towards Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) and Allah. He declared that the MQM would never tolerate desecration of the Quran.

Mr Hussain refuted a statement made by MMA leader Qazi Hussain Ahmad saying that the text of the bill contained no reference to the Quran, Hadith and Allah. The MQM chief mentioned the pages of the text on which these references were made.

In a voice cracking with emotion, he prayed that Allah might give the MQM the strength to “democratically eliminate such hypocrites”.

He addressed supporters of the MMA and advised them to distance themselves from the religious alliance which he also held responsible for the Nishtar Park tragedy.