Demand for recitation from all religious scriptures in parliament

Bangladesh Hindu Bouddha Christian Oikya Parishad has demanded that recitation from all religious scriptures be introduced in parliament to ensure equality and democracy.

Leaders of the association of Hindu, Buddhist and Christian communities have also asked the government to fulfil its election promise of implementing the Vested Property Return Act as per the High Court's verdict.

"In the interest of equality, fairness, justice and democracy, all religious communities in Bangladesh hope to see the end of religious inequality in the National Parliament," the association's General Secretary Rana Dasgupta said at a press conference at Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia Hall of the National Press Club yesterday.

"Therefore, following in the footsteps of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, an initiative should be taken to introduce reading from the holy scriptures of all religions at the start of the parliament session on every working day," he read from a written speech.

Rana appealed to the speaker of parliament and the government to take the initiative, allowing all lawmakers to pray in their own religious ways while observing a minute's silence on the deaths of MPs or eminent personalities.

He further said, "As of today, we hereby reject the draft of the Bangladesh Land Act 2020 of the Law Commission. At the same time, I urge for speedy implementation of Vested Property Return Act as per the verdict of the High Court.

Among others, the press conference was attended by the organisation's President Ushaton Talukder, Acting President Dr Nim Chandra Bhoumik, Nirmal Rozario and Joint Secretary General Bhikkhu Sunandapriya.