Sadrul Ain:
BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has said that democracy is not free from risks until the parliament and government are formed through direct votes of the people.
He said that the upcoming national parliamentary elections are a great opportunity to build a safe, democratic Bangladesh for people of all religions and castes.
He made this statement while addressing the chief guest while virtually joining the inaugural session of the biennial conference of the Janmashtami Udjawan Parishad Bangladesh in Chittagong on Friday (February 28) afternoon.
Seeking the support and cooperation of the followers of traditional religions in building a democratic Bangladesh, the acting chairman of BNP said that on August 5 last year, the 'brutal, genocidal dictatorship in the form of a sword' fled Bangladesh. Although the dictatorship has fled, democracy is still not free from threats. However, the conspiracy to thwart the interim government continues.
These are the allies of the fugitive dictatorship, constantly engaged in malicious attempts to rise again through various strategies.
Tarique Rahman said, "Minority or majority is just a word to determine the character and characteristics of the population of a country, nothing more. In Bangladesh, regardless of religion or caste, believer, non-believer or skeptic, the proud identity of every citizen of the country is - we are Bangladeshis."
Highlighting that Bangladesh is for everyone, he said, "All citizens will enjoy equal rights - this is the policy of BNP, this is the politics of BNP. I personally believe and BNP believes that party affiliation, religion, philosophy are everyone's, but the state is for everyone."
Everyone has the right to security, regardless of their religion. Therefore, the upcoming national election is a huge opportunity for all of us to build a safe Bangladesh.
Tarique Rahman, who is in London, said that if we review the attacks on minority communities or their religious establishments and homes in the country during the last decade and a half during the exiled dictatorship, we will see that, except for a few incidents, most of the attacks on minorities in Bangladesh were not for religious reasons.
If we examine the incidents, we will see that behind all this was the attack of the strong on the weak for illegal greed and gain. Or dishonest political motives. That is why I appeal to you, so that no one can use your religious identity for nefarious purposes in the future. Be careful about that.
He said, "You have been used politically for the last 17 years. If the followers of Sanatan Dharma have truly understood this profound truth, then it is certainly an important realization for you."
Highlighting that this understanding of the Sanatanis will play a helpful role in building a humane and prosperous Bangladesh in the future, Tarique Rahman said, "Everyone needs to know that it is not necessary for anyone to be tied to any party identity to ensure a safe life in the state and society."
Who is a member of the majority and who is a member of the minority population, this identity alone cannot guarantee the security of a citizen in the state and society. During the rule of the fugitive dictatorship, those who had to spend months and years in constant fear of death in the solitary darkness of the mirror house were all members of the so-called majority population. But this identity could not ensure their respect and security.
Commenting on whether there is democracy, justice, and the rule of law in a state and society, he said, "If there is no rule of law in the state, you, me, and us, then no one is safe. There is no alternative to establishing the rule of law in the state for the security of every citizen, regardless of minority, majority, party affiliation, religion, or caste. Only the rule of law can guarantee the security of any person."
Pradeep Chakraborty presided over the inaugural session of the Janmashtami Celebration Council conference held at JM Sen Hall ground in Chittagong city. BNP National Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, BNP Divisional Organizing Secretary Mahbuber Rahman Shamim, City Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain spoke at the event.
The conference was attended by former and current leaders of the Janmashtami Celebration Council and saints and monks from various monasteries and temples.
