Sampriti Bangladesh, a social platform comprising of prominent citizens, has called for peaceful celebrations of the Durga Puja, the biggest religious festival of the Hindus.
In a statement issued on Sunday, they called for all to ensure no untoward incident occurs during the festival.
Not only government, administration, or law enforcers but citizens who believe in the spirit of the Bengali nationality must come forward to ensure no untoward incident occurs during the celebrations.
Sampriti Bangladesh called for national unity channelling the spirit of the Liberation War.
The modern and reformed youth must play an active role to stand up against bigotry and radical sectarian groups, the statement read.
For centuries, Bangladesh has been known globally for its secularism and communal harmony.
It must be remembered that if the secular image of the country is harmed, then every achievement will turn to dust, it added.
The social platform said that the Durga Puja has been celebrated as a festival for a long time and the thousand-year-old non-communal spirit of the Bengalis is tied to it.
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s dream was a secular Bangladesh where everyone can practice their own religion.
The Father of the nation gave extreme importance to secularism and his daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also promotes the idea of individual practice of religion, but the celebrations being for all.
Sampriti Bangladesh Convener Pijush Bandyopadhyay, Member Secretary Dr Mamun Al Mahtab Shwapnil, former law minister barrister Shafique Ahmed, first female Dacsu VP Mahfuza Khanam, former UGC Chairman Abdul Mannan, retired Justice Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik were amongst many who signed the statement.
