Dhaka, August 21 – The Bangladesh Sanatan Party (BSP) has called for the immediate enactment of a dedicated Minority Protection Law and stronger state security measures to safeguard the lives, property, religious freedom and cultural heritage of minority communities in Bangladesh.
The demands were raised at a discussion meeting titled “The Role of the State in Ensuring the Protection and Security of the Lives and Property, Religious Places of Worship, Religious and Cultural Heritage of Minority Communities Living in Bangladesh” at the Sagar-Runi Auditorium of Dhaka Reporters Unity in Segunbagicha on Friday.
Freedom Fighter and Supreme Court Senior Advocate Subrata Chowdhury, president of Gono Forum, attended the meeting as chief guest. It was chaired by Anup Kumar Dutta, acting president of the BSP, while the party’s Founder General Secretary Advocate Suman Kumar Roy delivered the keynote address.
BSP leaders alleged that minority communities have faced attacks, intimidation, disputes over religious sites and property, and social and institutional discrimination in different parts of the country. They called for impartial investigations into such allegations and legal action against those found responsible.
Suman Kumar Roy also called for investigations into allegations of discrimination against members of minority communities in government and private employment, recruitment, administrative responsibilities and representation in important state positions.
He said ensuring equal rights and opportunities for all citizens is a constitutional responsibility of the state.
Shayan Bala, the party’s Founder General Secretary, demanded a separate and effective Minority Protection Law, swift investigation and trial of alleged persecution, increased security for temples, other places of worship and cremation grounds, an end to illegal occupation and harassment, and compensation for victims.
Pranabananda Maharaj, an adviser to the organization, called for an impartial investigation into alleged attacks, vandalism and intimidation carried out in the name of “Tauhidi Janata” in Palashbari, Gaibandha, following allegations of insulting Shri Purushottam Ram. He demanded that those responsible be brought to justice and also called for the immediate release of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari.
Subir Kanti Dhar, a member of the party’s Standing Committee, said that allegations of hurting religious sentiments should be dealt with exclusively through state authorities and the courts. No individual or group, he said, has the right to take the law into its own hands or threaten the safety of minority citizens.
The meeting also called on law enforcement agencies and the administration to respond more effectively to crimes against minorities and ensure that investigations and trials are conducted impartially, regardless of political affiliation or social status.
The BSP said that protecting the equal rights, security and dignity of every citizen is a fundamental responsibility of a democratic and secular state, urging the government to take immediate measures to strengthen the protection of minority communities.
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