This idea that being a follower of traditional religion means voting for a boat must be changed: Sarjis Alam
Sarjis Alam, the chief organizer (northern region) of the National Citizens Party (NCP), said, “We who belong to different religions should live together in harmony. This country does not belong to any particular religion. This is the country of everyone who lives in this country, who is a citizen of this country. But there is a deep-rooted idea among people that a brother of ours who follows the traditional religion means that he seems to vote for the boat. This idea, like that of people of other religions or politics, needs to be changed; we also need to help change this idea.”
Sarjis Alam, mentioning the reason for this, said, “The reason is, if that Awami League can think that “I will get their votes whether I give or not”, then it will not give you anything. This is what has happened so far. He said, what have they given you that is significant? When they get you without giving anything, they cannot give you your value. This has been happening for so long. A few people, two or four in number, were given facilities, but the rest, who were traditional religious people from my remote area, were not given attention.’
Sarjis Alam said these things at a meeting with people of different classes and professions in Atwari Upazila of Panchagarh at around 11 am today, Friday. This meeting was held at Raniganj Pateshwari Kali Mandir under Dakshineswar Debottar Estate in Raniganj area of Balrampur Union.
Sarjis Alam said in his speech, ‘We have heard in different places after August 5 that many have left the area. We have heard that many have been attacked in different establishments. This makes our hearts bleed. Because, those who have done these things are opportunists. They are occupiers. They did these things during the Awami League period, some are still doing them, and some will do them in the future. They are not from any party, they are fraudsters, they cannot be given space.’ Sarjis said to everyone present, ‘Those who will listen to you, speak for you, do your work, stand by you to protect you, your vote will be for them.’ Advising everyone to be aware, he said, ‘Let me tell you one thing, many people have personal interests, other interests, they will talk about me in front of you, talk about him, talk, are there many such people in the area? If you have any misconceptions about me or want to know anything about our party, do not listen to those people. Ask me directly.’
The meeting, chaired by Dakshineswar Debottar Estate In-charge Rabin Chandra Barman, was attended by, among others, Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council Panchagarh District Branch President Kalyan Kumar Ghosh, Atwari Upazila Branch President Kamlesh Chandra Ghosh, Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad Atwari Upazila Branch President Manoj Roy and local traditional religious people of various classes and professions.
