Dhaka: A pro-people, democratic and non-communal political system is needed to combat militancy in the country, said Chairman of the CHT Regional Council Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma (Santu Larma) on Wednesday.

“If there’s a pro-people, democratic and non-communal governing system, there’s no chance for fundamentalism to raise its ugly head,” he told a discussion at Cirdap auditorium in the capital.

Association for Land Reforms and Development (ALRD), Bangladesh Adivasi Forum, Ain o Shalish Kendra, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) and some other development and rights organisations jointly arranged the discussion, marking the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2016.

Santu Larma, also the president of Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS), said, “Religion is one’s individual or family matter, so why will it be institutionalised?”

“Religion is being used in politics and even it is included in the country’s constitution…now religion has become an integral part of the country’s ruling system,” he said.

Communalism gives birth to fundamentalism, the CHT Council chairman said, adding that if the government has communal, fundamental and imperial attitudes, militancy and terrorism may emerge.

He claimed that militancy has reached a worrying level with the patronage of political parties, intensifying people’s security concerns.

Welcoming the concept of forging a national unity, Santu Larma emphasised strengthening democratic process of the country aiming to get rid of the existing crisis.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon said all should come forward to resist militancy and fundamentalism in the country.

He said many suggest building unity with BNP to fight militancy, but it is quite impossible to do so since BNP will not be able to sever its ties with Jamaat. “The unity of BNP with Jamaat is ideological.”

Chaired by TIB trustee board chairman Sultana Kamal, the discussion was addressed, among others, by sociology professor of Dhaka University and former information commissioner Dr Sadeka Halim, economics professor of the university Dr Shwapan Adnan, ALRD chairperson Khushi Kabir and general secretary of Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council adv Rana Dasgupta.