Women鈥檚 rights activists on Tuesday urged the government to take effective measures against any untoward incidents centring on Durga Puja, the biggest religious festival of the Hindus.
They put out the call at a human chain that the Bangladesh Mahila Parishad organised in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka.
The slogan of the event, held simultaneously in all districts, was 鈥楲et us honour diversity, reject communalism, and uphold harmony.鈥�
The Bangladesh Mahila Parishad general secretary, Maleka Banu, said that sectarian incidents took place almost every year during Durga Puja, yet the government failed to take effective steps to prevent them.
Emphasising the need for harmony, she added that such untoward incidents must be stopped and everyone should live together in peace.
She urged the government to ensure strict security so that devotees can celebrate Durga Puja without disruption.
The Mahila Parishad president, Fauzia Moslem, who presided over the event, said that Bangladesh is a country of various ethnicities, religions, races and cultures.
She said that alongside the state, rights organisations and civil society must also come forward to build a safe environment and ensure security for all.
The speakers also called attention to the growing 鈥榤ob culture鈥� and urged the government to take action against mob violence.
Durga Puja will begin with Mahalaya on September 21 and end with Dashami on October 2.
