Press Release
20 October, 2026, 10:40 am
Last modified: 20 October, 2026, 10:46 am
The government wants to build a Bangladesh of communal harmony by overcoming religious divisions and bringing people of all faiths together, Fisheries and Livestock State Minister Sultan Salauddin Tuku said.
He made the remarks as the chief guest at a discussion after visiting Sri Sri Ramakrishna and Panchabati Ashram in Savar on Monday afternoon (19 October), according to the press release.
"This country belongs to all of us. There is no distinction between minorities and majorities. We are all Bangladeshis. Religion is for individuals, but the country belongs to everyone. Every citizen has the right to security," he said.
Tuku, who is responsible for overseeing law and order and other development activities in Dhaka district, said the government had increased its allocation for Durga Puja celebrations compared with the previous year. He thanked the prime minister for the increased allocation.
The state minister said the government had taken all possible measures to ensure every citizen's security.
Law enforcement personnel were performing their duties, while leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its affiliated organisations were coordinating with Puja celebration committees to prevent untoward incidents, he said.
He said Bangladesh did not want people with a mentality of committing murder, enforced disappearance and torture.
"We want a peaceful Bangladesh where people work for one another," he said.
Criticising what he described as fascist forces, Tuku said those who had worked against the people's interests had been ousted from the country through a united mass movement.
"No matter how much they threaten us, the people will respond with unity," he added.
Attendees included Dr Dewan Mohammad Salahuddin, MP for Dhaka-19; Farida Khanam, deputy commissioner of Dhaka; Yasin Ferdous Murad, administrator of the Dhaka District Council; Rakibul Hasan Ishan, additional superintendent of police for Savar Circle; and Md Saiful Islam, Savar upazila nirbahi officer.
Officials of the district and upazila administrations, law enforcement personnel, Puja celebration committee leaders, and leaders and activists of the BNP and its affiliated organisations were also present.
Later, the state minister visited the Puja mandap at the residence of the late Jagadish Chandra Das in Dhamrai.