Bangladesh
Buddhist Community Buddhist society demands to keep no political programme on Oct 28
Dhaka, Oct 24: The Bangladesh Combined Buddhist Society has demanded that the Prabarana Purnima date on October 28 be free from political programmes.
Leaders of the Buddhist community made such a claim at a press conference organized by Sagar-Runi Auditorium of Dhaka Reporters Unity on Monday. BNP has announced a mass meeting in Dhaka on October 28. Awami League has also announced to stay in the field so that the leaders and activists of the party cannot start the sit-in programme.
In the press conference, the joint secretary general of Buddhist Kristi Prakhara Sangha and Professor Suman Kanti Barua, teacher of Dhaka University, read the written statement.
He said that Prabarana Purnima, the second largest religious festival of the Buddhist community, will be held on October 28. Prabarana is held around Tithi or Purnima, so the date of this festival is included in the public and private calendars from one year before. Their expectation was that the Purnima Tithi would be free of political programs in view of communal harmony. But a series of programs announced on the day of Pravarana Purnima due to inadvertent and carelessness has spread fear among the devout Buddhist community.
Suman Kanti Barua appealed to the political leaders to facilitate the smooth observance of Prabarana Purnima, saying that Prabarana Purnima attracts fraternal Islam, Hindu and Christian communities as well as ethnic groups. They are looking forward to participating in the public festival known as the traditional 'Lantern Lifting Source'. Therefore, I appeal to the leaders of the political parties concerned to withdraw the political program proposed on Prabarana Purnima Tithi on special humanitarian grounds.
In the press conference, the president of Bangladesh Buddhist Federation Dibyendu Bikas Barua said that on the day of religious events like Prabarana Purnima, counter-political programs can increase violence and conflict in the country. As a result, if law and order deteriorates on the day of religious ceremonies, many men and women of the Buddhist community may face obstacles in practicing their religion. Therefore, I request to keep political programs free on Prabarana Purnima.
