Dhaka: Twelve eminent citizens of Bangladesh have expressed grave concern over the communal clashes going on in Delhi over the new citizenship law and  urged people of Bangladesh to maintain communal harmony in this country. 

In a joint statement, the eminent citizens called upon the Indian government and citizens to take prompt measures to protect and uphold communal harmony and democratic ideologies. 

The signatories to the statement,  according to Dhaka Tribune, are: Dr Anisuzzaman, Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury, Hasan Azizul Haque, Anupam Sen, Hasan Imam, Sarwar Ali, Ramendu Majumder, Mofidul Haque, Tariq Ali, Mamunur Rashid, Nasiruddin Yousuf, and Golam Kuddus.

In the statement, the eminent citizens expressed fear that India’s failure to handle the situation could create a volatile environment in its neighbouring countries, which could destroy peace, democracy, development, and communal harmony in South Asia. 

The eminent citizens termed India as a proven friend of Bangladesh, who played a great role by helping Bangladesh during the Liberation War in 1971, and urged it to take action to protect its communal harmony and democratic ideologies.

They also expressed hope that a conscious awareness of harmony against violence would prevent all fanatic acts in Bangladesh.