Call to ban religion-based organisations

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Speakers at a discussion in New York have demanded of the government to ban all religion-based organisations including Jama'at-e-Islami in the country by keeping consistency with the 1972 constitution, reports BSS. Welcoming the trial of war criminals, the speakers also said if the organisations like Jama'at which gave birth to infamous Al Badr, Al Shams and Razakar forces in 1971 to kill freedom fighters and intellectuals are not banned their leaders could claim themselves innocent in future. New York unit of Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee arranged the discussion at Khan Tutorials at Jackson Heights on the occasion of Amar Ekushey (Immortal Ekushey) and the Interna­tional Mother Language Day recently, according to a message received Friday. With President of New York unit of Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee Shafi Chowdhury in the chair, the discussion was addressed, among others, by US Chapter President Dr Abdul Baten, Weekly Barnamala Editor Mahfuzur Rahman, New York unit adviser of the organisation Dr Mansur Khan, eminent filmmaker Kabir Anwar, Convener of US Unit Muktijoddha Sanghati Parishad Khurshid Anwar Bablu, Commander of US unit of Muktijoddha Sangsad Nurunnabi, Weekly Muktokantha Editor Helal Mahmud and the son of martyred journalist Sirajuddin Hossain, Fahim Reza Noor. Demanding proper recognition to Shaheed Altaf Mahmud, the composer of immortal song on Ekushey February, Shafi Chowdhury said Altaf Mahmud was also a freedom fighter, but he has not been properly evaluated. The discussion was followed by a cultural function where expatriate Bangla­deshis living in New York performed patriotic songs and recited poems.