Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council also known as the Bangladesh Hindu Bouddha Christian Oikyo Parishod (Bengali: বাংলাদেশ হিন্দু বৌদ্ধ খ্রিষ্টান ঐক্য পরিষদ) is a non-profitable organization established to protect the human rights of the religious and ethnic minorities of Bangladesh.[1] BHBCUC is not biased to any religion or political parties or government and not meant for economic or any personal interest. The members and public donations are the source of fund for this charitable organization.
Rana Dasgupta is the General Secretary of the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council.[2]
History
This non-partisan organization was initially founded in 1975 in Dhaka, Bangladesh by Chitta Ranjan Dutta, the retired Major General of Bangladesh Army. It was officially founded in June 1988 by Chitta Ranjan Dutta[3] with other two current presidents of BHBCUC, Bodhipal Mohathero[4][5] and T.D. Rosario.[6][7]
On 9 June 1988, Islam was declared as State Religion with Eighth Amendment Act of the Constitution of Bangladesh, on that very day BHBCUC was formed, although announcement was done sometimes later. 9 June was observed as Black Day by BHBCUC. Later, in 1990, the non-resident Bangladeshi minorities of North America had formed a division of BHBCUC in New York.[8] A Canadian chapter was formed in 2005 in Toronto. It also has branches in European counties like France.
Controversy
The Unity Council has spread numerous communal propaganda at various times.
On 7th April 2024, the Council falsely claimed that Bangladesh Jamiyat Ahl-Al-Hadith made an offer of prizing anyone who converted Hindu women to Islam.[9]
The Unity Council also claimed that after Hasina resignation in 2024, 9 Hindu men were killed due to communal violence. This was also later found to be false.[10]
