Religion Is Personal, the State Is for All: Government Committed to Equal Rights for Every Citizen, Says Social Welfare Minister
Reaffirming the principle that 'religion is personal, the state is for everyone,' Women and Children Affairs and Social Welfare Minister Professor Dr A Z M Zahid Hossain has said the government is committed to ensuring equal rights for all citizens through communal harmony, mutual respect and coexistence.
The minister spoke on Tuesday night (October 20) while visiting the historic Raisaheb Bari Barowari Durga Temple in Dinajpur town and the Ramakrishna Ashram on Mission Road. His temple visit and remarks during the Sharadiya Durga festival are being seen as significant.
Speaking to journalists after visiting the puja pavilion, the minister said the BNP reflects its promises through work, not words, and practises politics keeping consistency between what it says and what it does.
He said that under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the BNP government is working tirelessly to implement its commitments for public welfare and the country's overall development.
Dr Zahid Hossain said the people of Bangladesh have long lived together in mutual goodwill and communal harmony, and everyone must play a responsible role to keep that tradition intact.
The minister said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is working to ensure the constitutional rights of every citizen, and noted that the government has put necessary security measures in place for an undisturbed Durga festival.
During the visit, the minister greeted followers of the Sanatan faith on Sharadiya Durga Puja and enquired about the overall security arrangements at the pavilion.
He discussed various matters concerning the temple and the ashram with committee leaders and assured them of cooperation in developing these religious institutions.
Stressing the government's sincerity in ensuring that every citizen can celebrate their own religious festivals in comfort while maintaining religious harmony, the minister called on everyone to remain united to preserve peace, harmony and coexistence in the country.
Present on the occasion were Dinajpur Deputy Commissioner Md Rafiqul Islam, Superintendent of Police Md Zedan Al Musa, district BNP president and district council administrator Advocate Md Mofazzal Hossain Dulal, and district BNP general secretary Bakhtiar Ahmed Kochi.
Also present were district Jubo Dal convener A K M Masudul Islam Masud, member secretary Rezaur Rahman Reza, Raisaheb Bari temple president Sushil Chandra Das and Loknath temple general secretary Manabendra Das Manoj, among others. The report was carried by BSS.
Coming on the eve of the Durga festival, this message of equal rights and harmony from a senior minister serves as reassurance to the celebrating community. Ensuring security and an undisturbed festival on the ground will now be the real test of that promise.
