The organisations for the minority religious groups of Bangladesh have demanded reading of scriptures of all the four major religions of Bangladesh at the beginning of parliament sessions and state ceremonies.

The demand was made by the prominent minority group Bangladesh Hindu Budhhist Christian Unity Council in its extended virtual meeting held last week.

It urged the government to restore the practice of reading from the scriptures of all the four major religions of Bangladesh which was introduced in the country after its liberation from Pakistan.

The practice was discontinued after the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman which was followed by a long period of political upheaval and military rule.

Currently only a recitation from the Quran is done in the parliament and in various state functions.Christian minority association Catholic Bishops’ Justice and Peace Commission has also supported the demand by the BHHCUC.

The Secretary of the BHBCUC advocate Rana Dasgupta told the media that introducing this practice will be a significant gesture to uphold religious pluralism in Bangladesh as it recognises equality of all religions and minorities before the law.The meeting urged the government to implement acts to protect minority interests and establish the National Minorities Commission.