POBNEWS24, Dhaka, Jan 7, 2022 : The 10th triennial conference of the Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council, an organization of the minority community agitating for a secular state, not a religious state, started on Friday morning. Historian Professor Syed Anwar Hossain inaugurated the conference at the Institution of Engineers in the capital. He said at the inaugural function, ‘This is not the Bangladesh of Bangabandhu. Bangabandhu said, Bangladesh will be an ideal state. Which will not be based on any religion. But it is not possible to build a humane Bangladesh of Bangabandhu by keeping the state religion in the constitution.
Thousands of leaders and workers of the organization gathered at the premises of the Institution of Engineers this morning for the conference of the Unity Council. Leaders and activists of Oikya Parishad from different parts of the country besides Dhaka metropolis attended the conference. The conference premises are decorated with banners and festoons. After 11 pm, the ceremonies like lighting of lamps, flying of pigeons and balloons are completed. Then the national flag and the flag of Unity Council were hoisted along with the national anthem.
Speaking at the inaugural function of the conference, Syed Anwar Hossain, a former professor in the history department of Dhaka University, said that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had returned to Pakistan on January 10, 1972. In his 16-minute speech at the racecourse ground that day, Bangabandhu said that Bangladesh would be an ideal state. Which will not be based on any religion. The foundation of the state will be secularism, democracy and socialism. Later, when the constitution was adopted in October 1972, nationalism was added to it.
Syed Anwar said that after the assassination of Bangabandhu and his family on August 15, 1975, the illegitimate military government of Ziaur Rahman blew away secularism from the constitution. Then another military ruler General Ershad came and added state religion Islam to it. After the current government came to power, it added secularism through the 15th amendment in 2011. But I could not match the oil and water. There is secularism, there is also state religion.
Syed Anwar said that the constitution says that Islam will be the state religion of the republic. It has been said again, however, that the state will ensure equal status and equal rights for Hindus, Buddhists, Christians and other religions. It means a kind of mercy.
Referring to the historic manifesto of the Mujibnagar government formed during the war of liberation in 1971, Syed Anwar said that equality, human values and social justice were considered as the main goals of Bangladesh. Bangladesh has achieved a lot in the last 50 years. But none of these three goals were achieved.
Professor Anwar supported the long standing demand of the Unity Council to return to the original constitution of 1972. However, he opposed the formation of a minority ministry. Syed Anwar said, ‘You have said that religion belongs to everyone, state belongs to everyone. Religion is a personal matter. Why would there be a ministry in his name? It is necessary for this state to be humane. ‘
The inaugural function of the conference was attended by the chairperson of the conference preparation committee and veteran politician Pankaj Bhattacharya, co-chairperson Kajal Debnath and general secretary of the council Rana Dasgupta. The three presidents of Oikya Parishad, Prof. Nim Chandra Bhowmik, Ushatan Talukder and Nirmal Rosario were also present at the inaugural function.
The conference was preceded by a dance with patriotic songs. Tejgaon Church Choir performed group music. Spondan dance troupe performing dance.
A parade followed the opening ceremony. The procession returned to the conference venue via Shahbag.
Representatives of various political and social organizations of the country will address the fourth session of the conference this afternoon. The chief guest was Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader.
