In a call for unity against discrimination, Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has questioned the need for differential treatment between religious communities.
He said: "If there is no need for guards at my home or mosque, then why is it necessary to have guards at Hindu temples? We do not want any kind of discrimination like this. We want the anti-discrimination movement that our children have carried out to put an end to all forms of discrimination. Let Bangladesh become a discrimination-free country."
He made these remarks as the chief guest at a gathering and prayer event organized by Dinajpur North Organizational District on Monday at the Dinajpur Institute premises.
The event was held in memory of Rudra Sen, other martyrs, and the injured from the anti-discrimination student movement and the public uprising.
He said: "This movement by the students and the people is not for any specific group, party, or community. Here, the general public took to the streets and made the movement successful. No specific religion's people fought alone; it was a collective movement of people of all races, parties, religions, and castes.”
Warning that any attempt to use this movement for personal gain will be met with strong resistance, Dr Shafiqur said: “Jamaat-e-Islami will always be with the people's movement. In its final days, the autocratic regime became desperate and killed our children. This Bangladesh is filled with fresh blood stains."
The Jamaat ameer said: "Our party is not interested in reaping the benefits of power. Our aim is to bring about a qualitative change in society. We want a country and a world where all people, regardless of race, party, or religion, can live in peace.”
Earlier, Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman visited the family of Rudra Sen, who was killed in the anti-discrimination student movement at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (Sust) in Sylhet.