C T Online Desk: The leaders of the Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council on Friday began a mass hunger strike programme expressing concern over not implementing the election pledges given by the ruling Awami League for the religious minorities in the election manifesto of 2018 general elections.
The council began the 48-hour mass hunger strike at the Central Shaheed Minar in the capital.
Rana Dashgupta, general secretary of the organisation, said that the Awami League government so far has not implemented many of the election pledges given for the religious minorities in the election manifesto of the party before the past general elections.
He called on the AL government to ensure safety and security of the minorities during the upcoming Durga Puja, requesting the political parties not to keep political programmes during the occasion.
The pledges include enactment of a law for the safety of minorities, formation of national minority commission and proper implementation of the Vested Property Return Act.
Workers Party of Bangladesh president Rashed Khan Menon, former Supreme Court judge AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury, Professor Abdullah Al Mamun, among others, spoke at the programme expressing solidarity with the demands.
Presidents of the organisation Neem Chandra Bhawmik, Nirmal Rozario, central leaders JL Bhawmik, Subrata Chowdhury, Jayanta Saha Dipu, among others, also spoke at the hunger strike programme.
The mass hunger strike programme will end at 6:00am on Sunday.
Moreover, the organisation on Friday observed 24-hour mass hunger strike in Chattogram and Barishal division, a press release of the organisation said.
