Amir Khosru questions ‘minority’ label, says Constitution grants equal rights to all citizens

BNP’s senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury criticised the use of terms like “minority” in Bangladesh, calling them deliberately divisive despite the Constitution granting equal rights to all citizens.

Speaking at a Janmashtami event at JM Sen Hall premises in Chattogram on Saturday evening, Khosru rejected the label outright.

“We do not believe in the term minority. If the constitution grants equal civic, political, constitutional and democratic rights to all, why should this word be used? Clearly, there is a flaw,” he said.

“These issues exist in our social structure, state system and democratic order. We must come out of it, so that such words are not used in the future.”

Khosru, a member of BNP’s Standing Committee, cautioned that religion and language are often brought to the forefront to create deep rifts in society, allowing certain groups to secure power.

“Religion and language are personal. By bringing such words forward, a deep social division is created. Those who exploit it to capture power believe it is a permanent arrangement. But this system has always collapsed, and it will continue to collapse,” he said.

He warned that cultural identity, too, is used to divide. “As human beings, we have religion, ethnicity, history and culture. Religion is my personal matter. Collectively, we are a nation, a country, a society.

“Those who create divisions here never last forever. They have had to leave repeatedly, only to reappear again and again.”

Calling for change, Khosru urged those speaking of a new Bangladesh to lead through their behaviour and words, and emphasised the need for greater tolerance.

“There is no room for division,” he said. “Politicians must be tolerant and respect differing views even when they disagree.”