Minority rights activists call for united fight against religious discrimination in Bangladesh

The discussion was held at the organization's central office in Dhaka, where participants stressed the need to strengthen human rights protections and ensure equal treatment for religious and ethnic minorities. The speakers expressed hope that the government would sincerely move forward in implementing the nationally raised eight-point demand charter presented by minority communities. The event was chaired by Professor Dr. Nim Chandra Bhowmik and attended by prominent rights activists, lawyers, academics, and journalists, including Advocate Subrata Chowdhury, Kajal Debnath, Jayanti Roy, Professor Dr. Chandranath Poddar, journalist Santosh Sharma, Advocate Tapas Pal and others. The programme was moderated by Monindra Kumar Nath. Addressing the gathering, speakers said the democratic and secular principles enshrined in Bangladesh’s 1972 Constitution, achieved through the Liberation War, are currently facing multiple challenges. They alleged that religious and ethnic minorities in Bangladesh continue to face discrimination, insecurity and various forms of harassment, leaving many feeling like second-class citizens in their own country. The participants emphasized that broader public unity and collective action are necessary to eliminate communal discrimination and uphold constitutional values of secularism, equality and human rights. They also called on civil society, political parties, and state institutions to work together to ensure greater protection for minority communities and prevent religious intolerance. The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council has long campaigned for minority rights, legal reforms, and stronger state action against communal violence and discrimination in the country.