1971 persecutors of Hindus are now contesting polls: Salahuddin Ahmed

BNP standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed has alleged that those who persecuted the Hindu community in 1971 have returned in a new form and are contesting the election.

He questioned whether citizens of the country are safe in their hands.

He made the remarks while speaking as chief guest at an exchange meeting with members of Hindu and Buddhist communities in Bishwas Para of Pekua, Cox’s Bazar on January 30.

Salahuddin Ahmed is the BNP-nominated candidate for Cox’s Bazar-1 constituency.

He said followers of Sanatan religion suffered the most persecution during the Liberation War at the hands of a religion-based political group. He alleged that those who did not believe in or support independence carried out the persecution.

Salahuddin said people of all religions were safe during BNP’s tenure and claimed BNP founder and martyred president Ziaur Rahman ensured religious freedom and united residents of the country under a Bangladeshi identity.

He added that BNP does not believe in ethnic, religious or racial division and wants peaceful coexistence for all Bangladeshis.

Former general secretary of Pekua upazila Bishwas Para Puja Udjapan Parishad Chandamoy Bishwas Tilak chaired the event. Local political and religious leaders also attended the meeting.