Bangladesh Hindu Bouddha Christian Oikya Parishad (BHBCOP) yesterday urged the government to step up security for the Christian religious and community leaders who were threatened with death recently.

Speaking at a press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity, BHBCOP General Secretary Rana Dasgupta called upon the Election Commission to make sure that the candidates for December 30 municipal polls could not spread communal hatred during electioneering.

As many as 37 Christian religious and community leaders were threatened with life across the country in the last three months through SMSs, except for one in Rangpur through a letter, according to Bangladesh Christian Association (BCA).

On Tuesday, seven Christian leaders, including Bishop Bejoy D'Cruze and BCA Secretary General Nirmal Rozario, received death threats.

Rana said religious and ethnic minority people have been facing harassment and repression over the years. He demanded the government ensure security of Christians so that they can observe Christmas without fear.

Four decades have passed since the country's independence, but the participation of religious and ethnic minorities in the parliamentary and local body polls has not been ensured, he added.

"You will find that only a few people from the religious and ethnic minority communities have been nominated to contest the mayoral polls on December 30."

The ruling Awami League picked only eight, the BNP six and other political parties five from the religious and ethnic minority communities for municipality mayor, said the BHBCOP leader.

A total of 235 mayors will be elected in the next week's polls, mentioned Rana. "This means the religious minorities would be largely deprived of having their representatives in municipalities."

The oikya parishad will back those candidates who nurture the spirit of Liberation War and will play a role in protecting the rights of religious minorities, he added.