Reaffirming its pledge to promote women’s rights and inclusive participation in national life, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Wednesday (Oct 15) held a grassroots outreach and discussion meeting at Nandipara village in Shilmaria Union under Puthia upazila of Rajshahi.

The event was organized following BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s call to promote women’s rights and empowerment, aiming to build women’s leadership and political participation at the community level.

A large number of women from Sanatani, indigenous, and other minority groups took part in the meeting, which also outlined the party’s upcoming programs to enhance gender inclusion and equal opportunities in political and social spheres.

Mahmuda Habiba, a member of BNP’s Media Cell and a Rajshahi-5 nomination aspirant, attended the event as the chief guest.

Habiba, who also serves as Joint Secretary of the Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Krishak Dal and is a member of the BNP Central Training Committee, said the BNP envisions an inclusive Bangladesh that upholds equality across faiths and communities.

“Our leader Tarique Rahman has said that religion belongs to individuals, but the state belongs to all — and the right to security belongs to everyone,” she said.

“No matter which religion you belong to, your identity is Bangladeshi,” Habiba added.

The meeting was presided over by Mrinal Kumar Goswami, Member Secretary of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Front and member of the Rajshahi District Krishak Dal Committee, while Tapan Kumar Das of the Puja Udjapan Front’s Puthia upazila unit moderated the discussion.

Among others present were Abu Hayat Md Asaduzzaman, Senior Joint Convener of Puthia Upazila BNP; Md Sohel Siraji, Md Asadul Islam Shah, Md Nurul Islam, Md Sohel Rana, and Md Idris, along with leaders from Projonmo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal, Jubo Dal, Sramik Dal, and Jisas.

MN/