‘No religious conspiracy will succeed’

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon on Friday said Bangladesh will not allow any conspiracy based on religion or race to succeed, warning that those seeking to exploit religious beliefs for political or personal interests will ultimately be rejected by the people.

Speaking as the chief guest at the biennial conference of the Barishal district unit of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad at the Barishal District Shilpakala Academy, the minister said any attempt to manipulate religious sentiment for influence would be recognised by ordinary citizens.

“If any quarter tries to exploit religious belief and religious practices to bring people under its influence, ordinary people will identify them. No conspiracy based on religion or race will be allowed to succeed in Bangladesh,” he said.

Referring to Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman’s position, Swapon said religion is a personal matter while the state belongs equally to all citizens. He said attempts to seize state power in the name of religion or to use followers of any faith for political objectives amount to communalism and contradict the true principles of religion.

“Whenever any group tries to turn religious belief and practice into a tool of communal politics, devout people themselves will identify those who exploit religion for personal or political gain,” he added.
The minister also stressed that political parties must remain committed to serving the public.

“As long as people believe that a political party’s activities serve their interests, they will continue to support that party and its election symbol,” he said.

Barishal City Corporation Administrator Advocate Bilkis Akter Jahan Shirin, Barishal Zila Parishad Administrator Akon Quddusur Rahman, former district Puja Udjapan Parishad president Rakhal Chandra Dey and other leaders attended the conference, chaired by district unit president Manik Lal Mukharjee.