Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said the current government does not believe in using religion for political purposes and remains committed to ensuring equal rights for all citizens regardless of faith.
He made the remarks while exchanging greetings with members of the Buddhist community on the occasion of Buddha Purnima at the Secretariat on Thursday, according to a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office.
“We do not want to use religion for political interests, and we have not done so in the past,” the prime minister said, adding that everyone has the right to practice their religion freely and live in safety.
He said, “Religion belongs to everyone, everyone has the right to security. Regardless of religion and caste, Bengalis and non-Bengalis, believers and non-believers, everyone will enjoy equal rights in all areas, this is the policy of the current government.”
Greeting the followers of the Buddhist religion, Tarique Rahman said, “Building a state and society where every citizen can freely follow, imitate and enjoy their religious customs, principles and rights without hindrance is the main responsibility and commitment of our government. The government is determined to ensure an environment where every person, regardless of party, religion, or caste, can live in peace and security.”
Referring to the government’s political philosophy, the Prime Minister said, “One of the political philosophy of the current government is “Bangladeshi nationalism”. It has been proven time and again in Bangladesh that only the philosophy of Bangladeshi nationalism can ensure close coexistence of all castes, religious communities, and ethnic groups in the country.”
Addressing the Buddhist community, she further said, “None of you should ever consider yourselves a minority. The state is mine, yours, and our identity. Each of us, every citizen, is ‘We are Bangladeshis.’”
Tarique Rahman said, “If every citizen, along with the state law, correctly follows the teachings of their respective religions, then we can all build a humane state and society together.”
He reminded that the heroic freedom fighters achieved independence with the desire to build a safe Bangladesh for everyone, regardless of religion or caste.
Prime minister also said, “We liberated this country at the cost of millions of lives, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians. During the Liberation War, no one asked who followed which religion, who was a believer or an unbeliever. Therefore, this independent Bangladesh belongs to you, me, and all of us.”
Bd-pratidin English/TR
