People-oriented activities can keep communalism at bay

Eminent citizens yesterday underscored the need for revival of social bonding through people-oriented activities to build a Bangladesh free from communalism.

The country has significant economic growth, but social norms and ethical values have deteriorated with the rise of communal forces as well as misinterpretation of religion, they said.

They made the call at a press conference organised by Sammilita Samajik Andolon, a platform against communalism and militancy, at the capital's Jatiya Press Club.

The platform announced its “4th National Conference 2017” to be held at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh on December 29, aiming to build a “communalism, militancy and corruption-free Bangladesh”, according to a statement provided to the media at the press conference.

It will also hold eight divisional-level conferences on December 9-22, said the handout.

The citizens raised concern that if the country cannot free itself from the clutches of communal forces and militancy, economic development will be hampered and achievement of the Liberation War will be tainted.

Educationist Prof Ajoy Roy said anarchy is rising in the society in various forms with prevalence of culture of impunity. Little has been done to ensure justice for the murdered freethinkers, bloggers and writers, he added.

Rights activist Sultana Kamal said this is the right time to wage a movement against misdeeds including those committed against women.

Rasheda K Chowdhury, Ramendu Majumdar, Ziauddin Tariq Ali and Sarwar Ali, and Pankaj Bhattacharya, among others, spoke.