No room for communalism, extremism in BNP: Chief whip

He made the comment while inaugurating Rath Yatra at the Madhab Angan of Jashomadhab Mandir at Kayetpara in Dhamrai upazila of Dhaka district.

The chief whip said the people of Bangladesh, after a long struggle, witnessed the dawn of a new era in July 2024, one built on non-communal values.

Referring to the Prime Minister, he said Tarique Rahman has declared that Bangladesh has no minorities, and that Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists and Christians are all citizens with equal rights.

Moni pledged that the government will not discriminate in providing state facilities, including Farmers’ Cards, Family Cards and Health Cards, to any community.

He noted that in the past, the minority issue had been politically exploited, with communal violence, including vandalism of idols, attacks on temples and arson during Durga Puja and other religious festivals, used to sow division among people.

The chief whip said such activities now have no place in the country. "There is no scope for extremism or communalism in BNP. Independent Bangladesh was built through the collective sacrifice of people of all religions and castes during the Liberation War. So, there is no room in the state for division or discrimination on the basis of religion."

Calling Dhamrai's historic Rath Yatra a shining example of communal harmony, mutual respect and social goodwill, he said such events further strengthen the country's pluralistic culture and national unity, reports UNB.