The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on Friday prevented the National Minority Conference 2025 from taking place in the city’s Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB). Police say the organisation did not take prior permission from the DMP.
Tejgaon Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Mobarak Hossain said, “They did not apply for permission to organise this event, so we cannot allow the programme to continue. Even if such an event is organised indoors, the organisers must seek permission from the DMP.”
The conference, themed “National Minority Conference 2025: From Hills to Plains, Standing Firm to Protect Existence,” was set to begin at 10am.
Organised by the Sankhyalaghu Odhikar Andolon [Minority Rights Movement], the event was scheduled to feature a documentary screening on communal attacks in Bangladesh over the last 54 years.
The organisers had gone live on Facebook the day before, showing the final preparations inside the auditorium.
Following police intervention, leaders of the Minority Rights Movement attempted to hold a press briefing in front of the auditorium around 11:45am. However, police halted this briefing as well.
Later, the organisers moved in front of the Department of Agricultural Extension to address the press. Minority Rights Movement Convener Sushmita Kar said, “We had to postpone the conference due to unavoidable circumstances.
“A new date will be announced soon. Such events cannot be silenced.”