'Bring culprits to justice'

They said the minorities, especially the Hindus, suffered a lot in the wake of general election as armed cadres of ruling BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami looted and set fire to their houses and violated girls and women.

The South Asian People's Union against Fundamentalism and Communalism organised the discussion in the city, with Prof Kabir Chowdhury in the chair.

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Barrister Amir-ul Islam said the government has no respect for human rights; it had just turned a blind eye to the repression of minorities.

The government does not even respect the views of the opposition parties, he added.

On bomb attacks in Sylhet, he said investigation into every attack was conducted with a political point of view.

Justice KM Sobhan said a sense of insecurity has gripped the people as human rights are being trampled systematically.

"Supporters of the Awami League across the country and the religious minorities, in particular, were harassed after the general election but the criminals escaped justice," he said.

Justice Sobhan also said fundamentalism has taken a deep root in the country with active support from the administration.

Fundamentalists are now targeting those who believe in progressive causes and speak in favour of secularism, he said.

Prof. Borhan Udddin Khan Jahangir called on the progressive political parties to unite to combat fundamentalism.

President of Mahila Parishad Hena Das, Prof Ajoy Roy and writer Shahriar Kabir also spoke.

A documentary titled 'Let us live our lives' was also screened at the programme. Shahriar Kabir made the documentary depicting the repression the minorities have suffered after the general election.