Dhaka: Visiting US Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Sarah Sewall on Wednesday visited Dhakeshwari national temple and listened to the concerns raised by Hindu community members.

‘We discussed the unequal enforcement of the laws and the need for very strong statement from the political leaders and community leaders about the equal rights of all,’ she told reporters after the visit.

Sewall said they also discussed the need for stronger efforts on the part of state to ensure that there is in fact equal protection under the law for all and there is no culture of impunity for those who engaged in crime of communal violence.

‘All religions have equal protection under the constitution,’ the US Under Secretary said adding that the laws themselves here do not cause concern for most of those they spoke there.

Describing the meeting ‘informative discussion’, she said the meeting was wonderful opportunity for her team to learn more about the proud tradition of ‘inclusivity’ of Bangladesh.

On Monday, Bangladesh’s top court rejected a 28-year-old petition that means Islam will remain Bangladesh’s official religion, and that equal rights for minority religions guaranteed by the constitution.

‘The court has recently made that decision and that doesn’t change the reality that the constitution recognises that all religions are equally protected,’ she responded to a questioner.

Whichever minority religious community it is they will like to see stronger efforts from the part of the state and on the part of all citizens to ensure that there is equal enforcement of those protections under the law, she added.

US Ambassador in Dhaka Marcia Bernicat was also present.