Equal rights, security demanded at Janmashtami procession in Chattogram

Demands for equal rights and security for the Hindu community were raised during a procession organised in Chattogram on the occasion of Sri Krishna's birth anniversary, Janmashtami. The procession was inaugurated at the Andarkilla intersection in the city on Friday morning.

Thousands of people participated in the procession organised by the Janmashtami Celebration Council, Bangladesh Central Committee. The procession began from Andarkilla intersection and passed through Lal Dighir Par, Kotwali intersection, New Market, Rifle Club, Bose Brothers, Buddhist Temple and Momin Road before concluding at the J M Sen Hall premises.

Devotees participated in the procession in various attires depicting different phases of Sri Krishna's life. The entire event resonated with the beats of drums, the melody of flutes and the chanting of Sri Krishna's name. Many also carried placards and banners highlighting various demands of the Hindu community.

During the procession, Advocate Chandan Talukder, president of the Janmashtami Celebration Council, said they want to move forward with the message of Lord Sri Krishna—"destroy the wicked and protect the virtuous." He also spoke about running the country with everyone, regardless of caste, creed and religion.

Biplab De Partha, executive general secretary of the council, said they wanted to spread the message of building a secular, egalitarian and fraternal Bangladesh through the procession. He demanded equal rights and security for people of all religions.

He said the fundamental rights of everyone as Bangladeshis must be ensured. He also demanded that Hindus be able to live in peace and safety and that their rights as Bangladeshi citizens be ensured in employment and other sectors.

Various placards held by activists of the 'Sanatani Adhikar Andolan Chattogram Divisional Committee' demanded an end to discrimination based on religion, ensuring equal rights according to the constitution, accountability for forced migration, and implementation of an '8-point' charter.

Additionally, banners and festoons of various organisations demanded the trial of those involved in attacks, cases, arrests, rapes, temple vandalism, land grabbing, arson and communal incitement against Hindus.

Although BNP's acting secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi was scheduled to be the chief guest, Land State Minister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin was to inaugurate the event, and Chattogram-8 MP Ershadullah was to be an invited guest at the inauguration, none of them were present at the event.

Chattogram Metropolitan Police Commissioner Hasan Mohammad Shaukat Ali inaugurated the procession. Regarding the absence of the scheduled guests, R K Dash Rupu, general secretary of the Janmashtami Celebration Council, Bangladesh Central Committee, said they would attend the evening programme.

A 'Dharma Sammelan' (religious conference) has been organised at the J M Sen Hall premises in the city on Friday afternoon on the occasion of Janmashtami, where Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury is scheduled to be the chief guest.