PM calls for another thousand years of religious harmony and peace

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today called for ensuring an environment where people of all faiths can continue to live in peace and harmony for generations, saying his government wants to build a peaceful, democratic and prosperous Bangladesh with people from all walks of life.

“People of different faiths have been living together peacefully in this country for thousands of years. We must ensure an environment where they can continue to live in the same way, in harmony and peace, for another thousand years,” he said.

The Prime Minister was addressing a greetings programme marking Durga Puja at the historic Radha Gobinda Dharmasabha Temple after visiting the temple on the occasion of Maha Navami.

Stressing the need for collective efforts to build Bangladesh as per the people’s aspiration, Tarique Rahman said people of all faiths had united during the Liberation War, movements for democratic rights and the 2024 mass uprising led by students and the public.

“Just as people of all faiths together liberated the country, we have also established the people’s political rights with people of all faiths standing together. Everyone must work together to build the Bangladesh we aspire to,” he said.

Saying his government wanted to serve all citizens, the Prime Minister noted that BNP candidates had won in some constituencies while losing in others in the election.

“We want to be the government of those who voted for us, as well as those who did not,” he said.

Tarique Rahman said the government is working to ensure balanced development across all areas and an equitable distribution of public services and facilities, taking the country’s financial capacity into account.

He said Tk 1,810 crore had been allocated at an Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) meeting for the development of Rangpur city. Initiatives had also been taken to develop necessary infrastructures in the district’s upazilas, unions and villages through local government institutions.

Mentioning roads, bridges, culverts, educational institutions and other essential infrastructure, he called on everyone to set aside differences and work together to achieve development goals.

The Prime Minister also urged the people not to create controversy over the 2024 mass uprising, saying the government was trying to build unity by bringing everyone together, while some quarters were spreading confusion.

“On behalf of the pro-democracy people, I would like to say: please do not make the 2024 mass uprising of students and the people controversial,” he said.

He said differences of opinion could be raised in the national parliament, where public representatives should discuss issues and take decisions in the interest of the state and its people.

Tarique Rahman urged all concerned to act responsibly so that political differences did not disrupt people’s daily lives, their children’s education, healthcare, business and employment.

Saying the government was working to bring changes to the country’s past political practices, he stressed that public support was essential to implementing those changes.

Greeting members of the Hindu community on Maha Navami, the Prime Minister reiterated the need to build Bangladesh as per the people’s aspiration with people of all faiths.

He said he would ask the concerned state minister to consider financial assistance for constructing the accommodation facility behind the temple.

The Prime Minister arrived on the temple premises at 12:04pm from Saidpur Airport, where he was welcomed through religious rituals. Children also greeted him with a dance performance.

He exchanged greetings and spoke with the temple’s priests and other people concerned. Later, temple management committee President Bhavatosh Sarkar and General Secretary Khokon Sarkar presented him with a crest.

The Prime Minister handed over a cheque for Tk 10 lakh to the temple authorities.

Moderated by State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam, it was also addressed by BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Standing Committee Member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Bijon Kanti Sarker, BNP Joint Organising Secretary Jayanta Kumar Kundu and lawmakers Mahbubur Rahman Belal and Nipun Roy Chowdhury.

Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal leaders Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahos, Partha Dev and Swapan Kumar Bhattacharya of Rangpur Dharmasabha, also spoke.

Women and Children Affairs Minister Professor AZM Zahid Hossain, Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu, State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin, Prime Minister’s Adviser Rehan Asif Asad, Rangpur lawmakers and district-level leaders were present.

This was Tarique Rahman’s first visit to Rangpur since assuming office as Prime Minister following the 13th parliamentary election.

After visiting the mandap in Rangpur, the prime minister left for Saidpur Airport to travel to Rajshahi, where he is scheduled to visit a Durga Puja mandap at Dharmasabha Temple before attending a public gathering at the playground of Haji Muhammad Mohsin Government High School.

He will then travel to Chattogram to visit the puja mandap at JM Sen Hall in Rahmatganj at 5:30 pm before returning to Dhaka tonight.

The five-day Durga Puja festivities will conclude on October 21 with the immersion of idols on Bijoya Dashami.