Dhaka, Feb. 18 -- Jamaat-e-Islami leader Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher has warned the interim government will be forced to step down if ATM Azharul Islam, sentenced to death for crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War, is not released immediately.

He said, "We did not want to speak out against this government. We were the ones who helped bring it to power. We see the shadow of an Indian influence over it now.

"The verdict against Azharul was not delivered by the Bangladesh Tribunal or the Supreme Court-it was issued from a secret dark room of the Modi government."

"Matiur Rahman Nizami was hanged on India's orders. Kamruzzaman was also executed at India's behest.

"India has used Sheikh Hasina to carry out the executions,...