NCP Convener Nahid Islam has said his party will speak out in parliament and on the streets if anyone faces discrimination because of their religious identity.
Nahid, also the chief whip of the opposition in parliament, made the remarks during a meeting with leaders of the Bangladesh Hindu Bouddha Christian Oikya Parishad, and the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad at the NCP office in Banglamotor, Dhaka, on Thursday evening.
“If we see or receive information that anyone is facing discrimination based on religious identity, we will speak out in parliament and on the streets. We will raise our voice because this is the core philosophy of our party,” he said.
Nahid expressed hope that the upcoming Sharadiya Durga Puja would be celebrated peacefully and in an atmosphere of communal harmony.
He said members of the Hindu community should be able to observe their religious festival and rituals without disruption. He also expressed his desire for a situation in which people would not have to worry about security during Puja.
The NCP convener said party leaders and activists across the country had been instructed to assist with the celebrations. They would provide support within their capacity if security assistance or volunteers were needed, he added.
Calling for a discrimination-free Bangladesh, Nahid said no one should face unequal treatment because of their religious or ethnic identity.
He also stressed the importance of maintaining good relations between political parties and people from all religious and ethnic communities, saying everyone should enjoy equal dignity and participation as citizens.
Referring to incidents reported after the mass uprising, Nahid said minor incidents at Puja mandaps and other places were sometimes exaggerated to spread misinformation.
He urged all concerned to act responsibly when such incidents occurred.
Nahid said some forces were seeking to undermine communal harmony in Bangladesh. He called on people to maintain mutual respect and goodwill and prevent such efforts from succeeding.
Describing communal harmony as closely linked to the country’s independence, sovereignty and national integrity, he said stronger harmony among communities would help build national unity.
He also expressed hope that people would remain united against domination, fascism and authoritarianism.
