No place for religious division in Bangladesh

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday said Bangladesh belongs equally to people of all religions and there is no place for religious division, extremism or attempts to disrupt communal harmony.

“Bangladesh is a country where Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, Christians and followers of all religions enjoy equal rights and dignity,” he said.

Fakhrul made the remarks while addressing a discussion and representatives’ conference titled “Ensuring Protection and Security of Minorities”, organised by the Sammilito Sanatan Parishad at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh in Dhaka.

He said the government remained vigilant against groups seeking to create unrest by exploiting religious identity.

“The foundation of the state should be citizenship, not religion,” he said, adding that an inclusive, democratic and humane Bangladesh must be built in the spirit of the 1971 Liberation War.

Fakhrul said people of different faiths had lived together in harmony in the region for centuries and urged citizens to remain united against efforts to weaken communal relations.

He also said the government had taken measures to protect religious communities and their places of worship, including providing security during Durga Puja and Rath Yatra.

Addressing members of the Sanatan community, the minister urged them to present their concerns and demands to the government in an organised manner.

“The government is sincere about addressing legitimate demands through discussion and dialogue,” he said.

Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury inaugurated the event.

Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Bijon Kanti Sarkar, Mymensingh-8 lawmaker Lutfullahil Majed and leaders of different political, social and religious organisations also attended.