Political parties that join hands with religious fundamentalists and extremist forces to stay in power or come to power would push the nation into an abyss of darkness, said a statement from 408 eminent citizens issued yesterday. They were protesting against what they called the “surrender of the government to religious extremist groups”. They were referring to the recognition of “unjust demands” from Qawmi madrasas, the communalisation of textbooks, the attack on Pahela Baishakh celebrations, religious propaganda, and the removal of a sculpture from the Supreme Court premises. “We want the government to leave this suicidal game. We are also urging the patriotic, non-communal and democratic people to be united against such evils,” the statement read. The joint statement was signed by Ahmad Rafique, Kamal Lohani, Sirajul Islam Chowdhury, Jatin Sarkar, Syed Hasan Imam, Hasan Azizul Haque, Sanath Kumar Saha, Ajoy Roy, Anupam Sen, poet Nirmolendu Gun, Abul Momen, artist Anwar Hossain, Dijen Sharma, Begum Mushtari Shafi, Rashid-e-Mahbub, Laila Hasan, Mamunur Rashid, Inamul Haque, filmmaker Mohiuddin Shaker, Lucky Inam, A N Rasheda, Prof. Anu Muhammad, Abed Khan, artist Abul Barak Alvee, Prof. Kaberi Gayen and Sanjeeb Drong, among others.