Democracy in Bangladesh needs real secularism: Indian envoy

Dhaka, May 18 (UNI) Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty said that democracy would be stronger in the country if it could establish a real secularism like India.

"Bangladesh is a secular country but there is no real practice of secularism as there is a Ministry of Religious Affairs here," he said, addressing a gathering after laying the foundation of Chandarnath Temple in Sitakunda in southeastern Bangladesh today.

The High Commissioner said that democracy in India is strong as there is no division or discrepancy among the people of different faiths and values, and Bangladesh should follow its example.

Assuring all possible cooperation from his government for the development and establishment of the temple, the Indian envoy said that Bangladesh government could expand it as a potential tourism centre.

The function, presided over by Sitakunda Shrine Committee, President Suvash Chandra Lala, also saw the presence Chief of Dhaka Ramkrishna Mission Swami Aksharananda Maharaj and Secretary of Bangladesh Hindu Bouddha Oikya Parishad Prof Nimchandra Bhoumik.

US Ambassador Patricia Butenis was also scheduled to attend the function but could not come. She, however, sent a letter to the Shrine Committee, expressing her regret for being not able to attend the programme due to her busy schedule.

UNI