Manila:The National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener, Nahid Islam, announced on Thursday that the party will address cases of religious discrimination in Parliament and mobilize public protests whenever such incidents are reported.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Nahid made these remarks during a press briefing after a meeting with Hindu community leaders ahead of Durga Puja at the party's central office.
Ensuring equal dignity for all citizens, regardless of their religious or ethnic backgrounds, is a core principle of the NCP's political philosophy, Nahid emphasized. He stated that the party has instructed its leaders and activists nationwide to assist Hindu community members in celebrating Durga Puja.
Additionally, the NCP plans to offer voluntary support for the festivities and participate in celebrations at various locations, as resources permit. Nahid stressed the importance of creating a Bangladesh where religious communities can celebrate their festivals without security concerns.
Santosh Sharma, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad, alleged that the Hindu community has faced discrimination in government jobs, businesses, and other fields since August 5, 2024. He urged NCP leaders to address these issues in Parliament and highlighted instances of intimidation, extortion, and land grabbing.
Nahid also highlighted the necessity for political parties to foster good relations with all religious and ethnic communities and to protect their rights. He called for responsible actions to maintain communal harmony, warning of potential threats to it. Leaders from the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad and the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Oikya Parishad attended the meeting, exchanging greetings with NCP leaders.