Govt is taking Hindu leaders' suggestions, says Sajeda
Saturday, 22 May 2010
The government was taking the recommendations of the Hindu community seriously in amending the Vested Property (Return) Act (VPA) to make it stronger and more effective, Deputy Leader of the Parliament Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury said, reports bdnews24.com.
Speaking at a meeting at the Dhakeshwari national temple, Sajeda also criticised hartal call of the main opposition BNP. She claimed the hartal had been called for June 27 on orders of the Pakistanis to delay the war crimes trial.
The AL presidium member said, "A large part of the Hindu community is being tormented in the name of Enemy Property Act since the 60s.
"Though the Awami League government passed the Vested Property (Return) Act, the subsequent government did not take any steps to implement the law. The caretaker government made it more complicated by issuing a fresh ordinance.
"The process of passing the Act in the parliament is on-going," she said.
After the India-Pakistan war in 1965, the Pakistan government had seized huge assets of the Hindus dubbing them 'enemy' property. The VPA still gives the state power to deprive a Bangladeshi citizen of their property.
It has long been criticised in Bangladesh and abroad as a major violation of the rights of minorities.
Later, the AL government took the initiative to return those assets by passing the Vested Property (Return) Act.
"The Hindu community has had immense contribution in the liberation war. There would be cooperation from the government to resolve all their problems," said Information Minister Abul Kalam Azad.
State Minister of Religious Affairs Shahjahan Miah said, "The process of forming the Hindu Foundation is underway in line with the demand of the Hindu community."
He also promised necessary steps to recover the grabbed land of the Dhakeshwari Temple.
The chief adviser of Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad, retired major general CR Datta Bir Uttam inaugurated the conference.
The local MP, Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin, spoke among others.
Criticising the hartal called by BNP, Sajeda said, "They have called the hartal in the name of price hike. But hartal will further increase the prices."
Speaking at a meeting at the Dhakeshwari national temple, Sajeda also criticised hartal call of the main opposition BNP. She claimed the hartal had been called for June 27 on orders of the Pakistanis to delay the war crimes trial.
The AL presidium member said, "A large part of the Hindu community is being tormented in the name of Enemy Property Act since the 60s.
"Though the Awami League government passed the Vested Property (Return) Act, the subsequent government did not take any steps to implement the law. The caretaker government made it more complicated by issuing a fresh ordinance.
"The process of passing the Act in the parliament is on-going," she said.
After the India-Pakistan war in 1965, the Pakistan government had seized huge assets of the Hindus dubbing them 'enemy' property. The VPA still gives the state power to deprive a Bangladeshi citizen of their property.
It has long been criticised in Bangladesh and abroad as a major violation of the rights of minorities.
Later, the AL government took the initiative to return those assets by passing the Vested Property (Return) Act.
"The Hindu community has had immense contribution in the liberation war. There would be cooperation from the government to resolve all their problems," said Information Minister Abul Kalam Azad.
State Minister of Religious Affairs Shahjahan Miah said, "The process of forming the Hindu Foundation is underway in line with the demand of the Hindu community."
He also promised necessary steps to recover the grabbed land of the Dhakeshwari Temple.
The chief adviser of Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad, retired major general CR Datta Bir Uttam inaugurated the conference.
The local MP, Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin, spoke among others.
Criticising the hartal called by BNP, Sajeda said, "They have called the hartal in the name of price hike. But hartal will further increase the prices."