Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said individuals seeking to make the nation forget the Liberation War of 1971 do not truly believe in Bangladesh.
Addressing an exchange meeting and representative conference titled “Protection and safety of minorities” as the chief guest on Friday, the minister called for the resistance of those who create division in the name of religion.
The event, organised by the Sammilita Sanatan Parishad, was held at the Diploma Engineers Institution auditorium in the capital.
Minister Mirza Fakhrul, BNP secretary general, emphasised that there is no scope for religious division in the country, as Bangladesh belongs equally to Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, and Christians.
He stated that the government remains on high alert to ensure that no one can create social instability through religious discord, and he urged the public to identify and resist “religion-traders.”
“I never consider you as minorities; you are the children and citizens of this soil,” Fakhrul told the Sanatan community. He remarked that people of different faiths have lived in harmony in this territory for thousands of years, and therefore, people cannot be divided based on religion.
He further noted that the Great Liberation War was a struggle for the freedom, dignity, and economic liberation of all people, and a democratic, non-communal, and humane Bangladesh must be built upon those values.
According to Fakhrul, civic identity, rather than religious identity, must serve as the primary foundation of the state. He warned that a certain quarter is attempting to destroy the country’s harmony by inciting religious division.
Asserting that there is no place for extremism or fundamentalism in Bangladesh, he expressed the government’s commitment to building a liberal, democratic, and harmonious nation.
Fakhrul highlighted that since assuming responsibility, the government has taken all necessary steps to ensure the security of the lives, property, and places of worship of all religious groups.
He mentioned that the government has provided full cooperation and security during various religious festivals, such as Durga Puja and Rath Yatra, to prevent any miscreants from disrupting communal harmony.
Directing his comments to the Sanatan community, he advised them to present their problems and demands to the government in an organised manner.
He assured them that the government is sincere about reaching positive solutions to logical demands through discussion and dialogue.
Fakhrul concluded by stating that the spirit of 1971 and the history of sacrifices made for the establishment of democracy must be upheld to advance the country’s democratic progress.
He reiterated that Bangladesh will move forward based on mutual respect, harmony, and equal rights, rather than religious division.
The programme was inaugurated by Nitai Roy Chowdhury, Minister for Cultural Affairs.
Also present as honoured guests were Bijon Kanti Sarker, special assistant to the Prime Minister; Lutfullahel Mazed, lawmaker for Mymensingh-8; and various leaders from political, social, and religious organisations.
