Stop using religion in politics: Hindu community leaders

Protesting the puja mandap attack on Friday, the Chattogram chapter of Bangladesh Puja Udjapon Parishad has placed a six-point charter of demands including a ban on the use of religion in politics.

They also demanded government support for all victims of the attack.

The organisation, comprised of Hindu community leaders, put forward the demands in a press briefing on Sunday at the Chattogram Press Club.

They announced four programmes in the coming days to protest the gross attacks during the major Hindu community festival, and warned there will be tougher movements if their demands are not met.

"The Hindu community is facing violence all over the country during and after Durga Puja," Hillol Sen Ujjal, general secretary of the Parishad, said at the event.

He placed six demands at the programme— ensuring the rights of all communities according to the constitution, punishing all those involved in the recent violence, rebuilding all damaged temples and properties, providing government support to all victims and their families, and imposing bans on the use of religious and communal issues in politics and elections.

Earlier on Friday, a group of people tried to break into the JM Sen Hall Puja Mandap, the largest one in the port city, but were intercepted by police, leading to a violent clash. At least 20 people were injured including five policemen.

Following the clash, organisers decided to stop the immersion of idols in Chattogram, but resumed the ritual a few hours later.

The Parishad also announced four programmes to protest the recent attacks— a human chain on 18th October at the Chattogram Press Club, a hunger strike on 19th October, demonstrations on 21st October, and a candlelight protest on 22nd October.