The Nagorik Coalition urged the government and political parties to safeguard the constitutional rights of Ahmadiyya citizens following what it described as “communal and threatening” remarks at a public gathering yesterday.

In an emergency statement, the citizens’ rights platform said it was “deeply troubled” by comments made at the International Khatme Nabuwat Conference at Suhrawardy Udyan, where several speakers reportedly issued “hateful and threatening” statements against the Ahmadiyya community.

It expressed particular alarm over major political parties deploying anti-Ahmadiyya rhetoric for political gain ahead of the polls, calling the trend “highly worrying”.

Citing article 41 of the constitution, it stressed that Ahmadiyyas hold the same right as all citizens to practice, observe, and propagate their faith.

The statement said Khatme Nabuwat groups have a long history of provocative rhetoric targeting Ahmadiyyas. It said the organisation’s activities “contributed to instability and violence” in the early 1990s, when Bangladesh was navigating a democratic transition. It added that similar movements in the early 1950s in then-Pakistan had weakened democratic processes, which is a warning for Bangladesh.

The platform said Bangladesh reclaimed freedom of expression and association through struggle and sacrifice. While differences of opinion must be respected, it warned that there can be no tolerance for efforts to stoke communal hatred or target fellow citizens.

It  urged the interim government and relevant authorities to remain vigilant against any group seeking to destabilise national life in this sensitive moment, especially those using religion to incite hostility or encourage violence.

Promoting and protecting the fundamental rights of all citizens regardless of class, caste, gender, ethnicity, or faith remains one of its central commitments, the coalition said, adding that such equality must be the foundation of the country after the July uprising.

source https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/protect-constitutional-rights-ahmadiyyas-4035851