They also called upon people to take fresh vow for not allowing Jamaat-e-Islami to do politics in the country.

The discussion was organised by the Committee for Resisting Killers and Collaborators of 1971 in the city as a part of its month-long programme to mark the 33rd anniversary of the victory.

National Prof Kabir Chowdhury presided over the meeting where Air Vice-Marshal (Retd) AK Khondkar BU was present as chief guest.

Prof Chowdhury said a vested quarter has misinterpreted secularism which means religion will not interfere in any activities of the state and no political party could be formed using the name of religion.

He said the nation should be united to fight for democracy and secularism.

Prof Chowdhury regretted that all the governments in the past were indifferent to the welfare of the common people who sacrificed much in the liberation war.

It is high time to take realistic steps for them, he added.

Acting president of the committee Journalist Shahriar Kabir said former presidents Zia and Ershad had turned the internationally acclaimed constitution of the country into a narrow communal constitution which helped in rising religious fanaticism.

In a written statement, he said if the BNP-led coalition government really wants to curb the fundamentalist forces, it must arrest the two leaders of the coalition.

Journalist Kamal Lohani said the political parties should pledge before the upcoming general election that they would hold trial of the war criminals and stop the communal politics.

"We are not safe in the country and it is the time to find out the Islamic militants and punish them so that they cannot raise their heads again," said AK Khondkar.

A martyr's wife Shyamoli Nasrin Chowdhury, Prof Ajoy Roy, Major General (Retd) KM Shafiullah BU, and Committee Secretary Kazi Mukul were present on the occasion.