President Calls for Bangladesh Based on Equal Rights

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called for collective efforts to ensure the rights and dignity of people from all communities, including Hindus, Buddhists, Christians and ethnic minorities, and to build a harmonious Bangladesh based on equal rights.

“People of all religions and communities live together in Bangladesh and everyone has equal rights. We must build a harmonious country by ensuring equal rights, dignity and opportunities for all,” the President said.

He made the remarks when a delegation of the Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Welfare Front paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban on Monday afternoon.

The President’s Press Secretary Md Sarwar Alam briefed reporters on the meeting.

Mirza Fakhrul said everyone must work together to overcome the crises created by the previous government and move the country forward. He said he was aware of the problems, hardships and expectations of ethnic minority, Hindu, Buddhist and Christian communities.

The President also recalled with appreciation the important participation and cooperation of the Hindu, Buddhist and Christian communities in the 13th parliamentary election.

Referring to the nomination of more candidates from the three communities for reserved women’s seats in Parliament, he said the government was committed to ensuring equal participation of people from all communities in the country’s development and progress.

Mirza Fakhrul called for forming a national committee comprising representatives of Hindu, Buddhist and Christian communities. He said such a committee could play an effective role in raising issues of concern in coordination with the government.

“Representation and participation of everyone must be ensured in the development of the country. No single side can move forward alone,” he said.

During the meeting, the delegation invited the President to visit the Durga Puja mandaps at Dhakeshwari and Ramna Kali temples during the upcoming festival. He accepted the invitation and assured them of his presence.

The delegation also presented a number of demands to the President. In response, he stressed the importance of working collectively and assured them that the issues raised would be considered with due importance.

The delegation included Chattogram Hill Tracts Affairs Minister Saching Prue Jeri, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant and Chairman of the Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Welfare Foundation Bijon Kanti Sarkar, Hindu Religious Welfare Trust adviser Tapan Chandra Majumder, BNP National Executive Committee member Advocate John Gomez and BNP National Executive Committee member and Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Welfare Front adviser Sushil Chandra Barua, among others.

The President’s Military Secretary, Secretary and Press Secretary were also present.