Staff Correspondent

Religious leaders have proposed arranging a peace and harmony rally in Dhaka, bringing together people from all religions and communities, including Hindus, Buddhists, Christians and Muslims.

They made the proposal during a meeting with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital on Thursday.

At the meeting, the leaders of all religions of the country agreed to be united against propaganda and conspiracies being hatched against the country from home and abroad.

In his opening speech, the chief adviser said the responsibility of the state is to ensure people's rights guaranteed by the constitution, seeking cooperation from religious leaders in getting accurate information if any attack on minorities happens in the country.

"We want to know the accurate information and want to establish the process of getting the information accurately," he said.

The chief adviser said he invited them to join the talks to know how information can smoothly be received in a safer way so that information providers do not fall in any trouble.

He said incidents of attacks on minorities may take place in the country but information must be gathered immediately if such incidents happen, and perpetrators must be brought to justice.

Prof Yunus said all the people of the country have equal rights.

He stressed taking measures to create an environment to prevent such incidents and ensuring immediate remedy for victims. "I think most of the people of Bangladesh agree with what I’ve said," he added.

Recalling the speech he delivered on his arrival at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport just before the formation of the interim government, the chief adviser said they all are a family despite having differences of opinions.

"We’re the members of the same family. We aren’t enemies to each other. We all are Bangladeshis," he said.

Referring to his visit to the Dhakeshwari Temple in Dhaka on the occasion of Durga Puja, Prof Yunus said Durga Puja was celebrated with festivity in the country while people from all walks of life joined it.

He said there is a gap of information between the ground reality and the reports published by the foreign media.

The leaders of different religions -- Muslim, Hindu, Christian and Buddhist -- joined the talks.

The leaders of several religions also talked to the media after the meeting.

Abinash Mitra, assistant secretary of Ramna Harichand Temple, said, “There’s no difference between us who are in Bangladesh. Those who are creating disharmony are infiltrating us and spreading propaganda abroad. We don't want them to gain interest. This is Bangladesh. We’re all equal here. We call for action against those who killed our lawyer brother.”

Bhikkhu Sunandapriya, general secretary of Bangladesh Buddhist Federation, said, “Communal harmony should be maintained in the country. We can live together. It’s our tradition. Let the chief adviser take action in this regard.”

Albert Rosario, the head priest of Ramna St Mary's Cathedral, said, “We stand in solidarity with what the political parties said yesterday (Wednesday). We’re going through a sensitive time. We must be united at this time.”

He said, “The wounds created in people's minds by the ISKCON incident should be removed. Many of those who are in trouble and angered by this incident have not joined the meeting. I urged the chief adviser to sit with them.”

At that time, As-Sunnah Foundation founder Shaykh Ahmadullah said, “Islam teaches us to be responsible towards other religions.”

Meanwhile, adviser Mahfuj Alam said India should recognise the genocide committed by the fascist Sheikh Hasina government in the July uprising.

“One thing is very important that India must recognise the genocide committed by the fascist Sheikh Hasina government in the July mass uprising. Check the facts and provide us with information after acknowledging that all kinds of oppression happened here, we’ll do our best from our place,” he said while briefing reporters after the meeting with the religious leaders.

He said the role of Indian media in the relationship between the two countries is questionable.

Earlier, the chief adviser held meetings with student representatives and leaders of various political parties on Tuesday and Wednesday over national unity.