Photo: Collected
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called upon the countrymen to remain on the highest alert so that anti-social evil forces can never raise their heads again and no one can destroy the existing communal harmony.
He made this call in his speech as chief guest at a programme for exchanging greetings with distinguished persons of the Sanatan faith and handing over honorariums to priests and sebaits on the occasion of Shubho Janmashtami at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital on Thursday morning.
The prime minister said that for ages in Bangladesh, people irrespective of party, opinion, religion and caste have been practising their own religions and cultures while maintaining mutual respect, amity and harmony. However, from time to time people of ‘Kansa’ character have tried to create division in the state and society.
Photo: PMO
He further said that in Bangladesh too a cruel ruler like ‘Kansa’ had been imposed on the people by snatching away the rights of the democracy-loving people. After more than a long decade and a half, the democracy-loving people, irrespective of party, opinion, religion and caste, brought about the fall of those fascists in exchange for thousands of lives. As a result, the journey of democracy has begun again in Bangladesh. The country is moving forward through the rebuilding of a fragile economy, a divided administration and deteriorating law and order.
Mentioning that the coming together of people of different religions and opinions is the beauty of a diverse society, the prime minister said those who are considered ‘minority’ or ‘majority’ at today’s programme – when we go on a visit to Europe or America, we are all ‘minorities’. So in the present global village these identities are not the main thing.
He said, ‘Not minority or majority, come, let us all think of ourselves as Bangladeshi.’ The political philosophy of the proclaimer of independence, ‘Bangladeshi nationalism’, comes from the very realisation that the identities of party, opinion, religion and caste should not create division. Our proud identity – we are Bangladeshi.
Expressing his resolve to build a welfare state, the prime minister said the state will support citizens according to its capacity and citizens will perform their duties towards the state. In this way, the desired welfare state will be built through mutual trust and responsibility. The government is determined to ensure that no one is left behind.
He said the political and economic empowerment of citizens is essential to build a prosperous, self-reliant Bangladesh while keeping sovereignty intact. To this end, the government is implementing various initiatives, including the family card, farmer card, sports card and the payment of honorarium allowances to religious leaders.
Remembering Sri Krishna, the prime minister said that according to Hindu religious scriptures, Sri Krishna was born on the Ashtami tithi of Krishna Paksha about five and a half thousand years ago in Mathura, when the ruler was the cruel ‘Kansa’. After the advent of Sri Krishna, Kansa fell. Followers of Hinduism believe that subduing the wicked and protecting the virtuous was his mission.
Greeting the Hindu community on Janmashtami, the prime minister said this country belongs to all of us. As citizens, everyone has equal rights. Leading life according to one’s own religion and culture is a constitutional right. The government believes – ‘Religion is for each individual, the state is for all’.
He further said, ‘Come, let us all further strengthen religious harmony, tolerance and mutual respect. After Janmashtami comes Durga Puja. May you be able to celebrate the festival in peace, comfort and security. Along with Janmashtami, I convey advance greetings for Durgotsab.’
The programme, organised at the initiative of the Prime Minister’s Office, began with a recitation from the Gita. Before that, on behalf of the Hindu community, Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury greeted the prime minister with flowers. The prime minister also presented a bouquet, which was received by Member of Parliament Subarna Shikder Thakur.
At the programme, the prime minister distributed honorariums among nine priests and sebaits. At the same time, the money reached the bank accounts of priests and sebaits across the country through FTA. On the occasion of Sri Krishna’s birthday on Friday, the prime minister exchanged greetings with followers of the Sanatan faith.
Conducted by Bijan Kanti Sarker, special assistant to the prime minister on Hindu, Buddhist, Christian and ethnic community affairs, the programme was addressed by Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad, Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury, Political Adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Public Administration Adviser Ismail Zabihullah, State Minister for Religious Affairs Mohammad Shamim Kaiser Lincoln, Debapriya Bhattacharya, Tapan Chandra Majumder, Santosh Sharma, Srimat Bhaktimoy Nitai Swami Maharaj and Amalendu Das Apu.
Besides, Local Government Minister Abdul Moyeen Khan, Law Minister Mohammad Asaduzzaman, Political Adviser Zahir Uddin Swapan, Information Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman, State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashiduzzaman Millat, BNP Standing Committee member Aman Ullah Aman, Farhad Halim Donar, Barkat Ullah Bulu and Subrata Chowdhury, along with leaders of the Hindu community, were present at the programme.
