Jubo League leader Dr. Ashikur Rahman Shanto has said that his organisation will not allow Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's secular Bangladesh to become a communal Bangladesh.
Speaking at a 'harmony rally' at his home district in Bhola, he said the opposition forces envious of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s successes are trying to make Bangladesh a failed state by destroying communal harmony.
“Those who are conspiring against the country …they want to attack communal harmony. As long as the Jubo League is alive, Awami League workers are alive, Bangabandhu's Bangladesh will never be a Pakistan,” he asserted.
The rally was held at the backdrop of the recent attacks on temples in different parts of Bangladesh during the Durga Puja, the biggest Hindu religion festival.
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Dr Shanto, an executive member of the central committee of the Bangladesh Awami Jubo League, earlier gifted closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in a temple to strengthen the security of the Hindu worship place.
Bangabandhu made it a constitutional right that everyone will perform their own religion without any obstacle.
Referring to the development achievements of Bangladesh in the last 12 years, Dr Shanto, also an economist, said: “Bangladesh is now referred to as a crown jewel by the international community due to the prime minister’s leadership. With her success, her political opponents lost their legitimacy to do politics and for that they are trying to create such communal tension so that Bangladesh can be made a failed state”.
He gave examples of Pakistan and Afghanistan who turned into a failed state due to communal unrest. “Today the world is turning its back on Myanmar because of the violence, killings, sectarianism, and ethnic divisions,” he said.
The communal harmony rally was held at the initiative of Bhola district unit of Bangladesh Awami Jubo League under the slogan “Sheikh Hasina’s Bangladesh, peaceful Bangladesh”.
Dr. Shanto was the chief guest while Assistant Secretary of Jubo League Barrister Arafat Hossain Khan, and former President of Bhola district Chhatra League Mushtaq Ahmed Shahin were the special guests at the rally presided over by Bhola District Awami League Executive Member Advocate Maksudur Rahman.
Leaders and activists of Jubo League from different upazilas of the district participated in the rally held at Dr. Shanta’s residence premises in Ukila Para of the Bhola city.