Amir Khasru Mahmud at Ctg Buddhist rally : No majoritarian politics in Bangladesh
M R Amin, Chattogram
There will be no majoritarian politics in Bangladesh, stated BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury.
Speaking at a rally held in front of DC Hill's Buddhist temple on Sunday morning, organized by the United Buddha Purnima Celebration Council on the occasion of Buddha Purnima, Chowdhury said, "There will be no majoritarian politics in Bangladesh. The country will be governed through the participation of every citizen, and each citizen's identity is Bangladeshi. Religion is a personal matter, while the state belongs to all. Hence, there is no room for division in this state, society, or country."
The peace rally, which included 61 organizations, started in front of the Buddhist temple and passed through Enayet Bazaar, Jubilee Road, New Market, Kotwali Mor, Laldighi Par, Andarkilla, and Cheragi Mor, before returning to the Buddhist temple.
The rally was presided over by Riton Kumar Barua, former district primary education officer and president of the celebration council, and was inaugurated by Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain. Special guests included CMP Deputy Police Commissioner (South) Md. Alamgir Hossain, RKK Bangladesh branch minister Mr. Mori Masanobu, former Chattogram Metropolitan BNP General Secretary Abul Hashem Bakkar, former South District BNP convenor Abu Sufian, and BNP Chairperson's Foreign Affairs Committee member Israfil Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury.
During his speech, Amir Khasru said, "We will build a society, a country, a state together. There is no room for division here. Majoritarian politics will not prevail in Bangladesh. We will build this country together."
He added, "This was the core vision of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, the founder of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. He introduced Bangladeshi nationalism for this reason. All the people living in this country are Bangladeshis. Religion is personal, but the state belongs to all – this is clear. We want to convey the message that this country belongs to everyone, and it should be built collectively."
Acknowledging that people may have different political views, he said, "This peace rally symbolizes the need for peace in the country's politics. We may have political differences, but we must respect each other's views. We can walk together despite these differences, without any problem. Everyone must be tolerant. The people of this country want a stable Bangladesh where everyone can thrive. Today's rally stands as a symbol of this hope."
Expressing a desire for an end to unrest, Chowdhury said, "The Buddhist community, mainly residing in Chattogram, has always been close to us. Many of us grew up together, studied together. The message of peace from Buddha Purnima resonates globally and is especially relevant for Bangladesh. Over the past 10-15 years, we have experienced immense unrest, leading to the breakdown of our society, politics, businesses, and the country itself. We aspire to build a peaceful society and nation. We do not want any more unrest in Bangladesh."
Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain said, "We aim to build Chattogram as a clean, green, healthy, and peaceful city. We are also working towards making it a safe city. Whether Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, or Christian, we are all bound by the ties of harmony."
He added, "Whenever the need to maintain communal harmony in Chattogram has arisen, we have faced it with courage. We will continue to uphold this tradition. No one in this city will face discrimination due to religious differences – we will ensure this."
The event, hosted by Lion Roni Kumar Barua and Rotarian Sopu Barua, included speeches by Bangladesh Buddhist Association Chairman Ajit Ranjan Barua, Buddhist Religious Welfare Trust Trustee and rally chief coordinator Rubel Barua, and Buddhist Cultural Promotion Society Vice President Mridul Barua Chowdhury, among others.
