In their press releases, Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, Ekattorer Ghatak Dala nirmul Committee and National Poetry Council protested against Salahuddin's comments and termed them 'obscene'.

Salahuddin has destroyed the government's goodwill by making 'rubbish' discriminatory comments about women and their participation in the celebration of the International Mother Language Day, said the press releases.

Salahuddin had reportedly said that currently Bangladeshi culture has been reduced to unmarried women walking the streets bare feet at midnight singing 'Aa mori bangla bhasha'.

Chowdhury, the Bangladesh representative for the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC), also commented about Bangladeshi women wearing saree below navel.

Chowdhury had been speaking as chief guest at the closing ceremony of a book fair and cultural programme, arranged by Jamat-e-Islami in Feni last Friday.