Seeking just constitutional amendments to build a secular Bangladesh, where all can contribute in the continuing growth and progress of the country, irrespective of their races and religions.
Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hashina,
We, the undersigned Bangladeshis abroad and in the country, dream of a secular Bangladesh under a constitution guaranteeing separation of State and Religion. We are disheartened to see the recently proposed constitutional amendments keeping the phrase Bismillah Rahman-a-Rahim in the preamble and the provision for the State religion of Islam, as before. This draft constitution gives preferential treatment to one religion (Islam) over the others, which is a blatant religious discrimination. Honorable Prime Minister, we strongly denounce such a constitution that condones religious discrimination.
May we remind you, Honorable Prime Minister, that all civilized countries in the world keep State and Religion separate - so that - all citizens, irrespective of their races and religions, can take part equally in the advancement of the country? Those are the advanced countries in the world. Such congenial atmosphere for progress is difficult to achieve in a country where one religion gets preferential treatment over the others. This environment disenchants religious minorities from taking part in the country's advancement, no matter how talented some of them might be. It breeds communality, resentment, discontent, hatred, and has a potential to induce state sponsored persecution of its religious minorities. We have seen enough evidence of such phenomena in Bangladesh in the past. Let's not repeat the history, and take advantage of this special opportunity to build a secular Bangladesh for the sake of prosperity, if not for the wellbeing of its religious minorities.
Thanking you in anticipation of your kind attention and remedial actions.
