BNP National Standing Committee member and Cox’s Bazar-1 (Chakaria-Pekua) candidate Salahuddin Ahmed said those who persecuted Hindus during the 1971 Liberation War have reappeared in new form to contest the election. Speaking at a meeting with Hindu and Buddhist community members in Pekua Sadar’s Bishwashpara on Friday, he questioned whether citizens would be safe under such candidates. His remarks were seen as an indirect reference to Jamaat-e-Islami.

Ahmed stated that during the Liberation War, a religion-based party had inflicted the most suffering on the country’s Hindu community, forcing them to make sacrifices known to their ancestors. He added that those who did not believe in independence were responsible for such persecution. He emphasized that BNP’s founder, President Ziaur Rahman, ensured religious freedom for all and identified everyone living in the country as Bangladeshi.

The meeting, chaired by former Puja Celebration Committee general secretary Chandamoy Bishwas Tilok, was attended by local BNP and community leaders, including Bahadur Shah, Kamran Jadid Mukut, and others.