AL betrays people by adding Secularism, Bismillah: BNP

BNP leaders including its Acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir (isnset) seen at a meeting in the city Saturday. ? Banglar Chokh Photo Awami League (AL) has betrayed the people by reincorporating 'secularism' alongside 'Bismillah' and Islam as state religion in the constitution, the opposition BNP has alleged.

BNP Acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said this at a views-exchange meeting organised by the Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Welfare Front at city's Naya Paltan Saturday, reports bdnews24.com.

"The country's existence is at stake. AL has betrayed the people by adding secularism alongside Bismillah and Islam to the constitution," the BNP leader said.

"Secularism can't coexist with Bismillah and Islam as state religion. They (govt) think that people are fools," he said.

With the 15th amendment to the constitution, two fundamental principles of the 1972 charter - secularism and socialism - have been restored.

BNP standing committee member Goyeshwar Chandra Roy said, "Hindus in BNP are working with difficulties though it is a secular party. This has to be resolved. Hindus have to be given a chance to work in the party."

Mentioning the names of several Hindu leaders of the party, Goyeshwar said, "Though there are confusions over our party nomination in the next general election, we're and will be with BNP. Where shall we go? Because we think BNP is not a party of Muslims only, it's of all from all religions."

Harprasad Bagchi said, "We would like to work impartially. AL is no exception. They've betrayed us in the name of secularism. They allured us with the Vested Property Law."

In reply, Fakhrul said, "No-one can be blamed. You'll have to be organised and fight to get leadership."

"BNP is not a fundamentalist party. There is no room for communalism in the party," he added.

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