Non-communalism is the beauty of Bangladesh: PM
News Desk || risingbd.com
Mentioning that Bangladesh is the only country in the world where all people irrespective of their religions and castes celebrate festivals together, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, “This non-communalism is the beauty of Bangladesh.”
She said this while addressing the Hindu devotees during her visit to the Durga Puja Mandop at the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission in the capital on Sunday (October 22).
The premier also exchanged greetings with the people of Hindu community there.
Extending her greetings to Hindu community members at home and abroad on their sacred religious festival Sharadiya Durga Utsab, she said, “Religion is for individuals, but festival is for all.”
Addressing the devotees there, she said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman incorporated equal rights of all religious faiths to the Constitution so that they can practice and celebrate their respective religions and festivals.
“And the Father of the Nation had ensured it”, she said, adding that the people who grabbed power after the killing of Bangabandhu had destroy the non-communal spirit of Bangladesh.
They also rescinded secularism from Bangladesh Constitution through Martial Law, which is an irony for the country, but Awami League after assuming power restored the secularism bringing amendment to the Constitution, she said.
She added: “We’ve ensured the freedom of practicing all religions.”
“Now, you (Hindu community) are celebrating Durga Puja peacefully across the country during the Awami League period, but once you couldn’t do so,” said Sheikh Hasina.
She assured that her government would be standing beside the Hindu community people so that they can enjoy their due rights here.
“You were born on this soil. So, we all will live in this land enjoying all due rights here. I can at least say that, as we are in power, we definitely give this assurance and will be beside you,” she said.
She asked all including the Hindu community people to work together for this motherland. “This country belongs to all. You never think yourselves as minor. Think always that this land is yours too,” she said.
The premier said they want the country to move forward, this progress to continue and all to live here in a decent atmosphere.
The prime minister said the government always tries to uphold and establish equal rights of all people irrespective of religious faiths in the country.
“We always believe that the people irrespective of all religions and castes will enjoy equal rights,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said all people together fought for Bangladesh and so, all have equal rights here.
“We all are the children of this soil. We’ll live in this land enjoying our respective rights,” she added.
The head of the government urged the Hindu community to pray for Bangladesh and its progress.
Dhaka/Sheikh Reza Parvez/AI