Leaders of the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council met BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman at the party’s Gulshan office in Dhaka yesterday to express condolences over the death of former prime minister and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.

 

 

During the meeting, the minority leaders described Khaleda Zia as a strong and uncompromising leader who played an important role in the country’s democratic movement. They said her death was a great loss for Bangladesh and conveyed their sympathy to Tarique Rahman and his family, local media reported.

 

 

The leaders also discussed growing concerns over recent incidents of violence against minority communities in different parts of the country. They presented Tarique Rahman with details of these incidents and submitted an eight-point list of demands, urging the BNP to include them as commitments in its election manifesto.

 

 

In response, Tarique Rahman said restoring law and order was essential to ensure public safety and rebuild democratic institutions. He said a functioning democracy was necessary to protect the rights of all citizens, regardless of religion or community. He added that he did not believe in dividing people into majority and minority, stressing that all citizens share the same identity as Bangladeshis.

 

 

Tarique also called for cooperation from minority leaders, saying joint efforts and political engagement were needed to address security concerns and safeguard equal rights.

 

 

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul and leaders from minority organisations, including the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad and the Dhakeshwari National Temple, were present at the meeting.