BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called for unity between Hindus and Muslims, urging minority communities to rally behind the party’s election symbol, the “Sheaf of Paddy.”

The event, organised by the Matua Bahujan Society Unity Alliance, held at the Farmers’ Institute auditorium at Farmgate in Dhaka on Saturday, brought together members of the Matua community and other religious minorities in a show of political solidarity. BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman addressed the gathering virtually from London.

In his speech, Fakhrul led attendees in a unifying slogan: “Hindus and Muslims, brothers and sisters–vote for the Sheaf of Paddy.”

He framed the upcoming election as a turning point for national cohesion and minority rights, declaring that the demands of the Matua Bahujan Society can only be fulfilled under a BNP government led by Tarique Rahman as Prime Minister.

Fakhrul outlined the alliance’s long-standing demands, including full implementation of the Vested Property (Return) Act, enactment of a Minority Protection Law, establishment of a National Minority Commission and Ministry for Minorities, legal protection of devottor properties, creation of a Hindu Foundation for education, housing, and economic development, and guaranteed representation of religious minorities in Parliament and public service.

“These are not new requests–they are decades-old promises ignored by successive governments,” Fakhrul said. “Only when Tarique Rahman becomes Prime Minister will these demands be realized.”

Reiterating the BNP’s foundational principles, Fakhrul emphasized the party’s commitment to a secular, democratic, and inclusive Bangladesh, in line with the vision of party founder Shaheed Ziaur Rahman.

“We reject division along religious lines,” he said. “Our struggle is for a nation where every citizen, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Christian, lives with dignity, equality, and justice.”

Concluding with a call to action, Fakhrul asked the audience to pledge their support, leading them once again in the rallying cry, “Hindus and Muslims, brothers and sisters–vote for the Sheaf of Paddy!”

The gathering highlighted the BNP’s intensified outreach to minority voters ahead of the national elections, positioning the party as a champion of pluralism and constitutional democracy.