Minority group leaders to hold pre-polls rally

Different religious and ethnic minority groups have planned to hold a grand rally in Dhaka city on 28 September to raise their issues ahead of the upcoming national elections.

UNB reports that addressing a press conference at Jatiya Press Club on Sunday.Bangladesh Hindu-Bouddha-Christian Oikya Parishad general secretary Rana Das Gupta announced holding of the grand rally on Friday at Suhrawardy Udyan.

Alongside the minorities' federating body, 21 other organisations working with the causes of religious and ethnic minorities in the country are coorganiser of the rally.

They said the move comes at a time when minority community people are in fear of a renewed spate of attacks and violence centring the upcoming national elections.

The minority leaders said through the 28 September rally they want to share some of their thoughts and concerns with the state, government, political parties and alliances.

National professor Anisuzzaman is scheduled to be present as the chief guest at the planned grand rally.

Comparing with statistics of violence took place in past two years advocate Rana said the attacks and violence against minority communities showed some declines but still far from over. "It is clear that the practice of disrespecting and torturing the religious and ethnic minorities are still on."

Around 380 incidents of attack on the minority communities were taken place till August this year, Rana added. While the incidents of attacks were 1471 and 1004 respectively in 2016 and 2017 but it has come down this year, he said.

Giving examples of some recent incidents of attack and harassment, Rana said "We strongly demand for proper investigation and trial of the incidents and urge to find out those who are destabilising the peaceful situation of the country."