'8th amendment to constitution done from political point of view'

They said there was no necessity to declare Islam as the state religion of a country where the majority people are Muslim.

The discussion on 'Religious Freedom in Bangladesh' was organised by Odhikar, a human rights organisation in the city.

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Presenting his theme paper on 'Religious Freedom', Farhad Mazhar, a noted columnist, said religion was always misinterpreted in this country.

He said religion does not identify friends and foes rather it is a project for emancipation of the people.

The interest of human being should be put above all things, said the State Minister for Religious Affairs Mosharef Hossain Shahjahan.

He said communalism cannot be eradicated in a day, rather it is a continuos process.

"We are unable to reply the propaganda against the Ahmediya Community as all our publications have been banned," said M A Awal.

Women in Hindu religion are not considered as human being as they are deprived of the property of their father as well husband, said Ruma Halder.

General Secretary of Bangladesh Indigenous People's Forum Sanjib Drang urged everybody to recognise the rights of ethnic minority.