Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said his responsibility is to ensure the rights and security of every citizen, regardless of religion, and that he will do his utmost to fulfil that duty.
"I will try my best to ensure everyone's security, not on the basis of religion, but as human beings," he said today (12 October) during an exchange of views with Hindu community leaders from the Dhaka-17 constituency at the Prime Minister's Office in the Bangladesh Secretariat.
Representatives from eight temples in the constituency met the prime minister and invited him to Sharadiya Durga Puja.
They also praised the government's initiatives for the welfare of the Hindu community since the BNP came to power, thanking him for increasing Puja holidays and grants.
Responding to their remarks, Tarique said the government had taken steps within its limited time in office and was working on other issues as well, adding that these efforts reflected its good intentions.
Referring to the Liberation War, the 1990 mass movement and the 2024 uprising, the prime minister said people had participated in the struggles irrespective of religion or caste.
His father, former president Shaheed Ziaur Rahman, had taken part in the Liberation War, he said, when Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians fought together.
"When we did not consider religion during critical junctures of the nation, why should we consider religion in other matters? We liberated the country together. We all participated in the movement to establish democracy," he said.
Tarique also said activists from different religious communities had faced persecution during the rule of the Awami League, adding that both Muslim and Hindu activists had suffered in the same way.
"Personally, I believe Almighty Allah has given me an opportunity. From my position, I will try to ensure, not in terms of religion, but as human beings, as much security as possible within my power to everyone," he said.
He added that, as head of government, he was responsible for ensuring citizens received the rights and entitlements they deserved.
"As a citizen of the country, as a human being, whatever your rights are, whatever you deserve, I am trying to fulfil what my duty is as the head of government," he said.
During the meeting, Hindu community leaders said they had been living peacefully since the national election and were not facing any problems.
They said developments since the BNP-led government took office had reinforced their decision to vote for the party and pledged continued support and cooperation.
Those present included Ramesh Dutta, a member of the BNP executive committee; Alok Saha, president of Gulshan-Banani Sarbajanin Puja Foundation; Jiban Kanai Das, president of Baridhara DOHS Puja Committee; British Chandra Karmakar; Narayan Chandra Saha; Pradeep Chandra Das; Shikha Rani Das; Shyamal Kumar Das; and Rajib Kumar Acharya.
Abdur Rahman Sani, representative of Tarique Rahman as MP for Dhaka-17, and Safiquzzaman Ratan, treasurer of the Banani Society, were also present.