Highlighting that there was a gap between news published by foreign media and the reality on minority attacks in Bangladesh, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus today (5 December) sought the cooperation of the religious leaders in collecting accurate information on such issues.
While delivering his opening remarks for the faith leaders of Bangladesh at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital, he said, “I have asked you to join [today’s dialogue] to know how information could be obtained in a safer way so that the information providers do not fall in trouble.”
He said the issue of attacks on minorities has come up again, and the foreign media are publishing news on it.
“We want to know the accurate information and establish the process of getting the information,” he added.
Noting that as citizens, all the people of the country have equal rights, Yunus said the responsibility of the state is to ensure the people’s rights guaranteed by the constitution.
He said if any incident of attack on minorities takes place in the country, information must be collected immediately on such incidents, and the perpetrators must be brought to justice.
The chief adviser stressed taking measures to create an environment to prevent such incidents and ensuring immediate remedy for victims.
“I think most of the people of Bangladesh agree with what I have said,” he added.
Yunus referred to his previous speech on his arrival at Dhaka airport from abroad on 8 August after the July revolution, where he said, “We all are a family despite having different opinions, and we are the members of the same family. We are not enemies to one another. We all are Bangladeshis.”
He also referred to his speech after the formation of the interim government, where he said the issue of repression of minorities arose, which saddened him.
Referring to his visit to Dhakeswari Temple in Dhaka on the occasion of Durga Puja, the chief adviser said the puja was celebrated with festivity in the country. People from all strata joined it, turning the event into a national festival.
Leaders of the Muslim, the Hindu, the Christian and the Buddhist communities joined the dialogue.
*This BSS copy has been edited.
