Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has urged people of all faiths to build Bangladesh together, shoulder to shoulder. He also called upon everyone to rise above religious identity and consider themselves as Bangladeshis.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing the Hindu community during his visit to the Puja pandal at Dhakeshwari Temple in the capital on Monday (October 19), on the occasion of Sharadiya Durga Puja.
The Prime Minister said, “This country is yours, this country is mine. Let us all come together, shoulder to shoulder, and build this nation.”
Prime Minister’s Assistant Press Secretary K. M. Nazmul Haque informed that Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and Social Welfare Minister Dr. A. Z. M. Zahid Hossain also spoke on the occasion.
Urging everyone to consider themselves Bangladeshis, rising above religious identity, the Prime Minister stated that while religions may differ, the state belongs to everyone. Every citizen has equal rights in this state, and ensuring everyone’s security is the responsibility of the state.
He further added, “Religions may be different. But the state belongs to all of us. The state called Bangladesh, this state belongs to all of us. Just as you have rights in this country, I also have rights. Just as you have duties towards this country, I also have duties towards this country.”
Emphasizing the responsibility of the state and mutual cooperation among citizens, he said, “The state’s responsibility is to provide you security, and similarly, it is the state’s responsibility to provide me security. Our collective responsibility is to look after each other. We will work together with one another to advance this country.”
The Prime Minister said, “We are all children of this country, people of this country, we are Bangladeshis. Each of us is human. Above all, that is our identity. Everyone present here is a Bangladeshi.”
Referring to the Great War of Liberation, Tarique Rahman said, “In the Great War of Liberation in 1971, the people of this country plunged in to snatch the sun of independence. At that time, none of us saw who was Muslim, who was Hindu, who was Buddhist, who was Christian – we didn’t see that on the battlefield, nor did we ever ask.”
Recalling the participation of people of all faiths in the movement to establish democracy and voting rights, the Prime Minister said, “Later, whenever democracy was threatened in the country, when people came to the streets to establish their political rights, their right to vote, at that time too, no activist asked the person next to them, ‘Brother, are you Muslim, or Hindu, or Buddhist, or Christian?’ No one asked. Everyone was vocal on that day to establish people’s right to speak and right to vote.”
Recalling the mass uprising of August 5, 2024, he said, “It’s not long ago. It hasn’t even been two and a half years. August 5, 2024. Just close our eyes, and all those scenes flash before us. During that mass uprising, thousands, lakhs of people came down to the streets. Did any of us ask anyone, ‘Brother, what is your religion?'”
Highlighting the sacrifices of people of all faiths during the July mass uprising, the Prime Minister said, “On that day, people of all faiths were present. Many were martyred; today I inaugurated the July Martyrs’ Memorial in Osmani Udyan. There are Hindu people, Muslim people, Buddhists, and Christians there. Everyone sacrificed their lives on that day to establish human rights.”
Urging everyone to work unitedly for the development and change of the country, Tarique Rahman said, “If this country changes, if the people of this country change, you will benefit, and I will also benefit.”
He said, “When someone is harmed, people don’t see what religion they belong to; when people are well, they also don’t see religion. They just see that you are human, and I am human.”
The Prime Minister further added, “Let us consider ourselves as human beings. As citizens of Bangladesh, let us know and recognize each other.”
Extending greetings to all Hindu devotees across the country on the occasion of Sharadiya Durga Puja, the Prime Minister said, “Today’s event is a joyful occasion. Today’s event is a gathering of unity.”
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