Taskina Yeasmin Dhaka Bureau)
Amid rising concerns over digital hate speech and fringe extremism, civil society leaders in Bangladesh urge the state and citizens to safeguard human rights and protect pluralistic traditions.
Ahead of Sharadiya Durgotsav- the Hindu community’s largest religious festival-civil rights advocates, women leaders, and peace campaigners gathered outside the National Press Club in Dhaka on 7 October 2026. Organized by Bangladesh Mahila Parishad under the theme ‘Resist Communal Incitement, Ensure Human Rights for All Citizens,’ simultaneous human chain programs were carried out across fifty-seven district branches nationwide to advocate for social cohesion and safety.
Aligning with international reporting values focused on human rights, peace, and non-violence, speakers at the rally addressed the growing threats of digital vitriol, targeted minority insecurity, and polarizing propaganda.
Defending the Fabric of a Pluralistic Society
Presiding over the mobilization, Bangladesh Mahila Parishad President Dr. Fauzia Moslem emphasized that the secular ideals born from the country’s liberation struggle must translate into tangible, everyday protections.
‘Enjoying the freedom to celebrate religious festivals should never require a special plea to the state,’ stated Dr. Moslem. ‘The core promise of our independence was an inclusive society where dignity and rights belong equally to all, regardless of creed or community.’
She further noted that communal tensions are frequently manipulated by vested interests using religious identity as a smoke screen for land grabs, property looting, personal vendettas, and political leverage. Dr. Moslem urged the government to move beyond nominal guarantees by performing rigorous fact-checking on social media rumors, strengthening rule of law, and fostering an environment where safety is guaranteed without the need for heavy security cordons.
Addressing Digital Incitement and the Culture of Impunity
General Secretary Maleka Banu underscored that festivals like Durgotsav function as shared cultural celebrations uniting communities across lines of faith. She warned that unchecked hate speech, cyber-propaganda, and vandalism against places of worship inflict deep psychological trauma on marginalized groups, creating a climate of fear.
‘When state mechanisms fail to swiftly check malicious disinformation and aggressive behavior, it emboldens bad actors,’ Banu cautioned, calling for systemic accountability to protect citizens of all ages, from toddlers to the elderly.
Echoing these concerns, Joint General Secretary Sima Moslem criticized the normalization of reliance on police-guarded festivities, pointing out that online incitement and the rise of unruly mob phenomena over recent years demand immediate, proactive legislative and administrative remedies from authorities.
A Unified Global Call for Human Dignity
The demonstration concluded with a unified call to action: that civil society, independent media platforms, and digital content creators must actively reject divisive rhetoric and instead project messages of empathy, coexistence, and mutual respect. Organizers reiterated that peace is not merely the absence of conflict, but the active defense of human rights and communal harmony for every member of society.
Taskina Yeasmin: Staff Correspondent, Pressenza- Dhaka Bureau.
