Leaders of all the political parties assured Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus that their respective parties would stand by the government on the issue of national unity, said Amar Bangladesh Party Joint Secretary General Asaduzzaman Fuaad to reporters in front of the Foreign Service Academy.
Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus’s meeting with political parties was called to seek their opinions on three issues — ongoing propaganda against Bangladesh in India and other parts of the world, the attack on the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala, and the allegations of minority attacks in the recent days.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star’s Google News channel. Industry Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan, while delivering his welcome speech, told this to the political party leaders, said Asaduzzaman Fuaad after exiting the meeting an hour after it started.
“A former military officer, who is also the head of a political party, advised the government to balance the relationship between Bangladesh and India without entertaining any provocations,” Fuaad said.
Several political parties proposed forming a minority commission to investigate the attacks on minorities and uncover the true picture, he added.
Some parties also suggested establishing a public relations cell under the state’s supervision to address the propaganda.
Fuaad further said that several political parties recommended removing officials from foreign embassies who were appointed during the previous regime and replacing them with individuals imbued with the spirit of the July Movement, so they could effectively counter any propaganda.
Although it was not on the agenda, several political parties urged the Prof Yunus to take steps to hold elections as early as possible after implementing the necessary reforms, Fuaad said.
Amid demonstrations in the capital and different districts over the attack on Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus last night began a series of dialogues to achieve national unity.
He met the leaders of students against discrimination and other student organisations yesterday evening, held a dialogues with the major political parties today, and religious groups tomorrow.