Shanti Parishad elects new committee

Amidst a boycott by the organisation’s general secretary, the national council of Bangladesh Shanti Parishad was held yesterday.

Mozaffar Hossain Paltu was once again elected the platform’s president and Md Shahjahan Khan, who was treasurer in the last committee, general secretary.

The event was held at Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh.

The proposal for a new 165-member committee -- including the president and general secretary for 2019-21  -- was passed at the council, said Paltu.

With the theme “No to extremism, terrorism and war for peaceful and safer world”, Prof Emeritus Anisuzzaman inaugurated the council as chief guest.

In his speech, the noted academician urged all to build a strong resistance against extremism, imbued with the spirit of Liberation War.

Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman gave the people an independent Bangladesh by defeating Pakistani forces in 1971, he said. “Bangabandhu also dreamt of establishing a non-communal state,” Prof Anisuzzaman added.

He stressed the importance of unity among progressive forces to materialise that dream.

Among others, World Peace Council Executive Secretary Iraklis Tsavdaridis, All India Peace and Solidarity Organisation’s Vice President Pramud Chandra Sinha and Nepal Peace and Solidarity Council Coordinator Rabindra Adhikari spoke at the council.

Meanwhile, the organisation’s former general secretary MA Kashem told The Daily Star that he and some senior leaders did not attend the council due to irregularities and violation of the platform’s constitution.

“They violated the organisation’s constitution by not issuing any official notice at least 21 days prior to the council and by not presenting the annual financial report officially,” he alleged.

Newly-elected president Paltu denied the allegation. “MA Kashem did not attend the council as he realised he would not be re-elected,” he said. Kashem had been holding the post of general secretary since 2010.