Speaking virtually from London at a goodwill exchange program organized on the occasion of Janmashtami at the Engineers Institution auditorium in Ramna, Dhaka on Thursday, Rahman said, "We believe that the state belongs to everyone; religion is personal, but everyone has the right to security. In the upcoming elections, we seek not only support but also active cooperation from our Hindu brothers and sisters."
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, who chaired the event, invoked the spirit of the Liberation War and remembered the martyrs' sacrifices. "Just as the Liberation War of 1971 is true, so is the sacrifice of the martyrs of July-August 2024," he stated. "Today, attempts are being made to distort the history of the Liberation War. In this situation, all citizens must stand united."
Alamgir warned against rising extremism in Bangladesh, saying, "Radicalism is trying to rear its head in Bangladesh. Moving away from divisive politics, we all need to walk the path of national unity to protect the country's existence."
The program was moderated by Religious Affairs Joint Secretary Amalendru Das Opu and featured speeches from leaders of Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian communities alongside top BNP leaders.
Among the central BNP leaders present were Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Abdul Moeen Khan, AZM Zahid Hossain, Nitai Roy Chowdhury, and Abdus Salam Azad.
Representatives from various organizations who spoke at the event included Bijan Kanti Sarkar, Rafiqul Islam Jamal, Jayanta Kumar Kunda, Aparna Roy Das, Ranesh Datta, Debashish Roy Madhu, Nipun Roy Chowdhury, Tapan Chandra Majumdar, SN Tarun De, Milton Baidya, Jaydev Joy, Sushanta Chakraborty, Jayanta Dev, Basudev Dhar, and Prabhu Bimala Prasad.
The appeal comes at a time when Bangladesh is preparing for national elections, with the BNP positioning itself as a party committed to inclusive governance and national unity. The party's outreach to minority communities reflects its strategy to build a broader coalition of support.
The event, organized to mark the auspicious Hindu festival of Janmashtami celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna, provided a platform for the BNP to demonstrate its commitment to religious harmony and minority rights in Bangladesh.
