Youth urged to unite against rumours, hate speech at Rajshahi harmony meet

Emphasising the need to safeguard communal harmony, thwart religious provocations, and curb disinformation, speakers at an advocacy seminar on Thursday urged the country's youth to play a frontline role in building a violence-free society.

Rajshahi district unit of Bashundhara Shuvosangho organised the event titled "On the Path to Social Harmony: A Violence-Free Society" at the Shah Makhdum College auditorium.

Representatives from around 30 local youth and civic platforms, law enforcement personnel, journalists, cultural activists, and students took part in the programme.

Chaired by Shuvosangho Rajshahi district unit President Md Zulfikar Ali Haider, the session was addressed by Rajshahi University Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer Md Hemayetul Islam Arif as the key speaker. Rajshahi Metropolitan Juba Dal Member Secretary Rafiqul Islam Robi attended as the chief guest.

In his keynote address, Arif underscored that mutual respect, tolerance, and responsible civic conduct are indispensable to preserving social cohesion. He placed particular emphasis on verifying digital content before sharing it on social media platforms to stem the spread of rumours.

Zulfikar Ali Haider noted that upholding harmony is a collective civic obligation rather than the domain of any single group or state agency.

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"Preventive social awareness is far more effective than reacting after an untoward incident occurs. Religion is personal, but security and peaceful coexistence remain fundamental rights for every citizen," he said.

The event was attended, among others, by cultural activist Waliur Rahman Babu, Boalia Police Station’s Bosepara Outpost In-charge Md Ataur Hossain, Rajshahi College Chhatra Dal General Secretary Md Rashikuzzaman Pritom, Adivasi Juba Parishad General Secretary Sabitri Hemrom, Shuvosangho Varendra University unit President Kaisar Sami, and Rajshahi College unit Vice-President Priti Chowdhury.

Shuvosangho district unit General Secretary Sumaiya Haque, Joint General Secretary Md Saiduzzaman Sabuj, Assistant Organising Secretaries Sheikh Ahmed Sajid and Farhana Sultana Priya, Office Secretary SM Alfaj Nayan, Finance Secretary Tahsin Sheikh, and executive member Akash Majumder were also present.