Fanatics have raised their heads again under the protection of the BNP-led alliance government, the statement said.

Fundamentalist forces are growing in number in educational institutions also, which is alarming.

They demanded a ban religion-based politics in all educational institutions in the country and called upon all progressive and pro-liberation forces to unite to resist them.

The statement was singed by Forum's coordinator Golam Kabir and Prof Moloy Kumar.

Many intellectuals including journalists have been murdered in the last three years but none of the cases has been tried despite public demand. This proves the killers are being sheltered by ruling parties, they alleged.

Cultural bodies and personalities are being threatened in the name of Islam.

These fundamentalist forces are misinterpreting Islam only to go to power. Islam is a religion of peace and never supports violence, it added.

Bangladesh, a land religious and peace loving people but these forces are tarnishing its image abroad as a country of fundamentalists, the statement said.