Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged the countrymen to abstain from saying anything hurtful to the religious sentiments and magnifying any incident that goes against any religion, rather look at the punitive measures taken by the government, reports BSS and UNB.
"Don't magnify any incident that take place in any area (of the country), rather my request to all of you is to look at the punitive measures of the government against that incident."
She said, "None can hurt the religious sentiments of any religion. None can say anything hurtful to the religious sentiments. It is applicable to any religion. Because it is one's faith, one's faith in God."
The Prime Minister said this while speaking at a greetings exchange programme with the Hindu religious people of the country on the occasion of Durga Puja.
The programme was held at the premises of Dhakeshwari National Temple while the Prime Minister joined it virtually from her official residence--Ganabhaban.
She also sought cooperation from all, including the Hindu people, to maintain communal harmony in the country.
"I will seek your cooperation in this regard and hope that you will cooperate," she said.
Hasina added that the government always tries to uphold the non-communal spirit or secular character of the country and steps forward towards prosperity maintaining.
The Prime Minister again warned that no one will be allowed to undermine anyone’s religious sentiment.
“No one will be allowed to say anything (derogatory) hitting others’ religious sentiment. This is applicable for any religion,” she said.
She said that religion is about one’s belief. “It is one’s belief on Allah or the Creator, we have to go with that belief.”
She mentioned about Surah Kafirun where it is stated that every person will perform their respective religious rituals and people from all religions will enjoy equal rights.
“And we believe that from our heart.”
Hasina said that the government is always cautious to ensure religious harmony in the country.
“Steps are always taken whenever any accident takes place, because we want that all citizens of this country whatever their religion will perform their respective religious ritual equally,” she added.
She expressed deep shock and sorrow at the deaths in a boat capsize in the Korotoa River in Panchagarh where Hindu devotees were heading towards Badheshwar Temple on the occasion of Mahalaya on September 25.
Talking about the Russia-Ukraine war, sanctions and counter-sanctions, she said not only the people of Bangladesh, rather people around the whole world are suffering.
She said that inflation has increased, prices of everyday essentials have increased and developed countries are also struggling.
Sheikh Hasina requested all to take preparation from right now.
“We have our people, we have very fertile lands, let not any land uncultivated, produce whatever you can and maintain austerity in using everything including power and water. We have to work wisely considering our future,” she urged the countrymen.
The Prime Minister called upon the affluent section of the society to extend support to the welfare trusts.
To this end, Sheikh Hasina said that she has established Hindu Welfare Trust and donated a seed money to it.
This call will applicable for people of other faiths - -Buddhist, Christian, Muslim - - also as the government has established welfare trusts for all, she added.
Bd-pratidin English/Golam Rosul
