Staff Reporter: A protest rally has been held in New York against communal terrorism in Bangladesh. A large number of expatriates took part in the rally held at Diversity Plaza in Jackson Heights on Friday (October 22) evening local time. Expatriate Nagorik Samaj (Civil society) New York has organized this protest meeting titled ‘Stand up Bangladesh’.
Community activist and journalist Mujahid Ansari made five demands to the Bangladesh government at a rally chaired by expatriate journalist Syed Mohammad Ullah and conducted by Tofazzal Liton.
Speakers at the rally said that attacking any religious institution means hitting the foundation of the liberation war. This injury must be dealt with unitedly in the spirit of the liberation war. And if not, there will be no liberation war, there will be no Bangladesh, we will not have anyone. Addressing Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the speakers said, “You are the Prime Minister of 180 million people of the country.” We want you to give everyone an equal look. Like other rights, it is your responsibility to protect the religious rights of all the people of Bangladesh. It is the responsibility of the state to ensure that all people can practice their religion without hindrance.
From Friday’s rally, the 5 points that the Bangladesh government is called upon to implement are:
Attacks on various puja mandals centered on Durga Puja, the main religious festival of the Hindu community in Bangladesh, vandalism of idols, attacks on Hindu homes and arson in various places, rehabilitation of the victims, demands for compensation and full security. Emphasis on exemplary punishment. Demands for the security of all minorities, for the formation of a high-powered judicial inquiry commission for communal riots, for the return of the first constitution of the nation that won the liberation war in a non-communal spirit, for democracy and secularism.
The rally was held under various slogans against the spirit and communalism of the liberation war. Expatriates with various demands came up with placards and banners in which men and women believing in all religions of Bangladesh.
Journalist M Fazlur Rahman, Freedom fighter vocalist Rathindranath Roy of Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra, heroic freedom fighter Golam Mostafa Khan Meraj, Tajul Imam, Rezaul Bari. Prof. Nabendu Dutta, Prof. Hosne Ara, Syed Zakir Ahmed Rony, one of the founding organizers of Ganajagaran Mancha, journalist Sanjiban Kumar, Al Amin Babu of Ganajagaran Mancha, General Secretary of Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee Svikriti Barua, Manzoor Quader of Chharakar Democrat Ahnaf Alam and others addressed the protest rally.
BP/SM
