Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Saturday said those who are conspiring to destroy communal harmony in Bangladesh will never succeed.

“We’ve a tradition of communal harmony. We’re determined to maintain communal harmony, no matter what,” he said.

GM Quader, also the deputy opposition leader in parliament, came up with the remarks at a views-exchange meeting with the leaders of Bangladesh Hindu Parishad at Jatiya Party chairman’s Banani office.

He said their party founder late HM Ershad had set an example in maintaining communal harmony during his rule.

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The Jatiya Party chief also said Ershad played a unique role in protecting the rights of people of all religions.

He also recalled that Ershad had declared the day of Janmashtami, a major festival of the Hindu community marking the birth of Lord Sri Krishna, a public holiday. ”He also provided security and financial assistance for various pujas and festivals (of Hindu community).”

GM Quader said the Hindu Welfare Trust, founded by Ershad, has now become an institution worth a hundred crore of taka.

He also said the Jatiya Party founder always kept allocation for the construction and renovation of temples.

During the meeting, the Bangladesh Hindu Parishad leader handed over the draft law on minority protection to the Jatiya Party chairman and greeted him with a bouquet.

Jatiya Party presidium members ATU Taj Rahman, Advocate Rezaul Islam Bhuiyan and office secretary MA Razzak Khan, among others, were present at the meeting.