Dhaka, July 7 – Sampriti Bangladesh, a new organisation with prominent citizens, was launched on Saturday in a bid to build a secular country and reduce discrimination in the society. The organisation started its journey through an inaugural event at the National Museum with a slogan – ‘Gai Sammer Gan’ (aspire to equality).
Pijush Bandyopadhyay, convener of the organisation said “We want to spread the spirit of Liberation War aiming to build a secular country, we want a happy, prosperous and repression free Bangladesh. Bangalee nation historically contains the spirit of secularity.”
With this organisation a journey of the secular country begins which will be spread throughout the country, he said.
Prof Emeritus, Sirajul Islam Chowdhury said “The secularism which was evident in the country in the past, no more exists while without secularism a democratic country can’t run. A state can’t force any citizen to observe their religion; people should be able to observe religion as per their wish, which should the main character of a democratic country.”
“Today we are living in a sick society, to step out from such situation, we must carry the spirit of secularism and equality by stepping out of the structure of capitalism”, he said.
A former Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique said “The spirit of Liberation War was deviated with the killing of Bangabandhu in 1975. With his murder, the essence of secularism was killed.”
“For that, long years after the liberation war, we have to lodge movement for building a secular country. We hope in future all conscious citizens of the country will lend their helping hand to form a state of secularity and equality”, he said.
Renowned writer and teacher of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) Dr Muhammed Zafar Iqbal said “It’s our duty to keep the religious minority in peace; the country won’t be in good condition if they don’t remain good. Before every general election, ethnic people fear being victimised in attacks. But our duty is to take proper measures so that religious minority can live with security and respect.”
So many advancements of the country won’t work if religious minorities don’t remain in peace, he said.
Prof Emeritus AK Azad Chowdhury, UGC Chairman Prof Abdul Mannan, eminent academic Prof Anisuzzaman, Former DUCSU President Mahfuza Khanam, Prof Syed Anwar Hossain, Liberation War Museum trustee Sarwar Ali, journalist Abed Khan, National Press Club President Shafiqur Rahman also spoke at the programme. – UNB
