Staff Reporter:

BNP Standing Committee member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku on Saturday called on people to give priority to society over politics to prevent religious divisions and uphold communal harmony.

“In earlier days, people of all faiths lived together peacefully. They shared the joy of religious festivals regardless of faith or identity. Political divisions later weakened this bond. To preserve social harmony, we must place society above politics,” he said.

Tuku made the remarks while addressing a discussion as chief guest ahead of the Janmashtami rally in front of Mawlana Bhasani College in Sirajganj this morning.

The BNP leader alleged that the fallen fascist Awami League had used religious and communal conflicts to serve political purposes.

“After the 1971 independence, Awami League forcibly occupied the houses of nearly 95 percent of Sanatani residents in Sirajganj and carried out killings of those holding opposing views,” he claimed.

Referring to the recent July Mass Uprising, Tuku said he had assured members of the Sanatani community in Sirajganj of living without fear. He expressed hope for building a more united Sirajganj where all communities could live with dignity and courage.

The discussion was presided over by advocate Kalyan Saha, convener of the Janmashtami Celebration Committee.

Sirajganj district BNP general secretary Md Saidur Rahman Bacchu attended as special guest, while district BNP vice-president Omor Krisna Das conducted the programme.