The Supreme Court verdict on the fifth amendment to the constitution has provided the government an impetus for establishing a secular democratic Bangladesh, said State Minister for Liberation War Affairs AB Tajul Islam yesterday.

He was speaking as the chief guest at a roundtable on "Communalism, militancy and war crimes trial" organised by the online newspaper DhakaNews24.com at the National Press Club.

“Now it is our duty to implement the HC verdict for a secular democratic country. I urge people of all walks of life to extend their cooperation to this task,” Tajul said.

The minister reiterated the government's determination to try the war criminals within its tenure.

“We know better that the anti-liberation forces will certainly conspire to foil the war crimes trial. But we are ready to face the challenges. Their trial will certainly be held on the soil of Bangladesh,” he said.

Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) General Secretary Mujahidul Islam Selim said the grassroots have to be involved with the trial of war criminals for creating public awareness in favour of it.

Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique urged the young generation to come forward with their maximum cooperation to accelerate the trial of war criminals.

Gono Forum presidium member Pankaj Bhattacharjee laid emphasis on constitutional recognition of the indigenous people to establish a non-communal democratic Bangladesh.

Veteran politician Ajoy Roy presided over the function, while DhakaNews24.com Chief Reporter Rafiqul Islam Pathik presented the keynote paper.