Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today (12 October) said ensuring the rights and security of every citizen, irrespective of religion, is his responsibility as head of government.
"I will try my best, within my capacity, to ensure everyone's security, not on the basis of religion, but as human beings," he said.
The prime minister made the remarks during an exchange of views with Hindu community leaders from the Dhaka-17 constituency at the Cabinet Division of the Bangladesh Secretariat.
Representatives of eight temples in the constituency met him to invite him to their Durga Puja celebrations.
The Hindu community leaders praised various government initiatives for their welfare since the BNP assumed office and thanked the Prime Minister for increasing the Puja holiday and financial assistance.
Referring to their remarks, Tarique said the government has done what it can in the short time since taking office and is trying to address some other issues as well.
"This proves that we have good intentions," he said.
Recalling the Liberation War and democratic movements, the Prime Minister said people of all faiths, including Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians, fought together in the Liberation War.
He said people from all religious and ethnic backgrounds also participated in the 1990 mass uprising and the 2024 movement.
"When we did not consider religion at critical moments in the nation's history, why should we consider it in other matters? We liberated the country together and took part together in the movement to establish democracy," he said.
Referring to the persecution of political activists of different religions during what he called the fascist Awami League regime, Tarique said Hindu activists faced repression just as Muslim activists had.
"There was no distinction based on religion," he said.
The prime minister said he considered his position an opportunity to serve the people and would do his best to ensure their security within his capacity, regardless of their religious identity.
"As a citizen of this country and as a human being, you have your rights and entitlements. As head of government, I am trying to fulfil my duty," he said.
Tarique reiterated that he would make every effort, out of a sense of duty and accountability, to ensure that every citizen received what was rightfully theirs.
During the meeting, the Hindu community leaders said they have been living peacefully since the national election and had not faced any problems.
They said the government's actions since taking office had repeatedly demonstrated that Hindu community members had not made a mistake by voting for the BNP, and pledged their continued support and cooperation.
BNP Executive Committee member Ramesh Dutta, Gulshan-Banani Sarbojanin Puja Foundation President Alok Saha, Baridhara DOHS Puja Committee President Jiban Kanai Das, British Chandra Karmakar, Narayan Chandra Saha, Pradip Chandra Das, Shikha Rani Das, Shyamal Kumar Das and Rajib Kumar Acharya, among others, were present.
Abdur Rahman Sani, a representative of Dhaka-17 MP Tarique Rahman, and Banani Society Treasurer Shafiquzzaman Ratan also attended.