They also emphasised the need to teach people about the lessons of secularism.

Secular Unity Bangladesh organised the discussion on the premises of Liberation War Museum at Shegunbagicha in the city.

Addressing the rally, Sammilita Ainjibi Samannaya Parishad President Barrister Amirul Islam said the rise of militancy is the result of the religion-based politics in the country.

The 1972 constitution had no discrimination between Islam and other religions of the country, he added.

Colonel (retd) Faruk Khan MP said, "We always believe that our country is a liberal democratic country, not a 'moderate Islamic democratic country' as called by Christina Rocca, former US Assistant Secretary of Sate for South Asian affairs."

He said one should practise religion at individual level but state should not force anybody to practise any particular religion.

Dhaka University Teachers' Association President Prof AASM Arefin Siddiqe said 3 million freedom fighters sacrificed their lives with a view to establishing a secular state.

The Ershad government betrayed the freedom fighters' blood by incorporating religion in the constitution, he added.

Prof Arefin said democracy and religion-based politics are contradictory, as in the democracy there is no distinction between a Muslim and people of other faiths.

But those who made Islam a state religion have done so for using the religion for political gain, he added.

By changing the constitution, the then government destroyed both religion and politics, said Prof Arefin adding, "We have to establish a secular government in the country to free the country from the hands of totalitarian rule."

Promod Mankin MP, Dhaka University Prof Dr Anisuzzamn, Colonel (retd) Shawkat Ali MP, Dr Denish Dilip Datta, Cultural personality Golam Kuddush and Kobori Sarwar, eminent writer Shahriar Kabir, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Prof Dr Moazzem Hossain, Mymensingh Agricultural University Prof Abdus Sattar Mondol, Prof Abul Barakat, former DUCSU VP Mahfuza Khanam, Pradip Chakrabarti, Dr Shirin Sharmin, Prem Ranjan Dev and freedom fighter Abul Kashem Chowdhrury spoke on the occasion.

Dr Md Abdul Hai read out the declaration paper on 'Secular Unity Bangladesh', while language veteran Mahbubul Alam Chowdhury presided over the discussion and journalist Shamsul Arefin Khan moderated.