The desired Bangladesh will be built with people of all faiths together: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Rangpur

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has firmly pledged to build a prosperous and desired Bangladesh through the collective participation of all citizens, regardless of religion or caste. He said the blood and sacrifice of people of all communities are mixed into the great Liberation War, so everyone must now work shoulder to shoulder in rebuilding the country as well.

He made the remarks while addressing a street rally at Paglapir in Rangpur on Tuesday. The prime minister noted that carrying the country forward on the talent and labour of everyone — Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians alike — is the national expectation.

The prime minister said that, honouring the mandate the people gave to run the country through the election held on the 12th, the present government has been working from the very beginning to improve the living standards of ordinary and working people. Effective steps are being taken with the needs of every disadvantaged and labouring class of society in consideration.

Outlining the government's welfare measures, he said agricultural loans of up to Tk 10,000 have been waived to ease the financial burden on marginal farmers. At the same time, the Family Card and Farmer Card systems have been introduced for the benefit of ordinary people.

In addition, special allowances have been ensured for imams and muezzins as well as the elderly respected members of society. He said such humanitarian efforts by the government to strengthen the overall welfare and social security of the people will continue.

Drawing on the context of the ongoing Sharodiya Durga festival, the prime minister greeted followers of the Hindu faith and called for keeping mutual fraternity and harmony in society intact. He said that, just as in achieving independence, the collective contribution of people of all faiths is indispensable in the struggle to build the country.

In the prime minister's words, responsibility for the development and future of this land is equal for every citizen. Mutual respect, unity and steadfast hard work to build a beautiful and desired Bangladesh should therefore be everyone's main pledge.

On the same day, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed further clarified the government's position on religious harmony. He said protecting religious harmony in the country and ensuring that people of all faiths can celebrate their religious festivals safely is one of the government's foremost constitutional responsibilities.

Speaking as chief guest at a views-exchange meeting with Buddhist religious leaders at the Home Ministry conference room at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Tuesday afternoon, held on the occasion of Prabarana Purnima and the Kathin Chibar Dan festival, the home minister said the Home Ministry will provide all-out cooperation and the highest security measures for Prabarana Purnima, one of the main religious festivals of Buddhists to be held on October 25, and for the month-long Kathin Chibar Dan festival that follows.

The minister said that under Article 28 of the Constitution, there is no scope for any discrimination on the grounds of religion in Bangladesh. Every citizen of the state has the constitutional right to observe religious ceremonies and worship freely and safely. The government, he said, is committed to maintaining peace and law and order while remaining respectful of its constitutional obligations and citizens' rights.

He also said strict vigilance has been ordered so that no untoward situation or deterioration of law and order occurs, particularly around the evening fanush (sky lantern) flying festival, in Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, the three hill districts of Khagrachhari, Rangamati and Bandarban, and in the plains districts of Patuakhali, Cumilla, Noakhali and Rangpur region.

On security for Durga Puja, the minister said monitoring at mandaps during the ongoing festival has been strengthened through body-worn cameras, CCTV cameras and app-based surveillance. The situation is being observed round the clock through the police monitoring cell. He warned that no one will be spared if any attempt is made to create disorder anywhere.

Referring to attempts to destroy religious harmony by spreading rumours and false information on social media, the minister urged everyone not to pay heed to rumours. He said small internal disputes over personal matters, land or management committees are sometimes portrayed as religious attacks as part of propaganda, and such attempts will be firmly resisted.

The Buddhist religious leaders present at the meeting highlighted the significance of Prabarana Purnima, restraint, purification of mind and consciousness, and the sanctity of the traditional flying of fanush and the Kathin Chibar Dan. The leaders said a list of Buddhist viharas across the country will be handed over to the minister; he said that once received, the list will be sent to the law enforcement agencies and local administrations concerned for necessary action. Among those present were Dharmamitra Mahathero, principal of the International Buddhist Vihara; Asin Jin Rakkhita Mahathero, principal of the Bodhigyan Bhabna Kendra; Muditapal Bhikkhu, principal of Uttara Mahavihara; and Swarupananda Bhikkhu, deputy principal of Dharmarajika Mahavihara, along with other Buddhist religious leaders and distinguished persons.

Altogether, during this Durga festival season, the same message has come from both the prime minister's street rally in Rangpur and the home minister's exchange at the Secretariat: equal participation of people of all faiths, the right to celebrate festivals safely, and a firm government stance on protecting harmony. The home minister expressed hope that, just as the ongoing Durga festival is being held in a festive and safe environment, Prabarana Purnima and the Kathin Chibar Dan festival will likewise be celebrated peacefully.