'Neither religion, nor caste, we want to ensure equal rights for all, says PM
Photo: Agamir Somoy
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said, "It is not difference of religion, caste, or profession—every citizen of Bangladesh has equal rights. Everyone will receive equal opportunity and dignity before the state. It is not possible to build the desired Bangladesh by leaving anyone behind. Therefore, we want to build the country with the cooperation of all, united with people of all religions."
He said these things in his speech as chief guest at a views-exchange meeting after visiting the puja mandap at the Dharmasabha Temple in Rajshahi on Tuesday afternoon.
Addressing followers of the Sanatan religion, the Prime Minister said that every person born and raised in Bangladesh is considered a Bangladeshi citizen by his party. According to the country's laws and constitution, every citizen has equal rights. No one's rights can be less or more because of religious identity.
Tarique Rahman said, "Just as you have rights in this country on this soil, I have the same rights. The facilities the state gives you in this country, it will give me the same facilities."
The PM said he came to exchange views with followers of the Sanatan religion specifically to convey the message of ensuring equal rights for all citizens.
Tarique Rahman said that to build the desired Bangladesh, everyone must work together. Whatever religion people belong to, if everyone remains united, it is possible to build the desired Bangladesh. For this, he sought everyone's support and cooperation.
He said, "We cannot build our desired Bangladesh by leaving anyone behind."
Highlighting the fact that people born and raised in Bangladesh and future generations will live in this country, the Prime Minister said everyone has a responsibility toward the country. Therefore, rising above religious identity, everyone must participate in the country's development. Tarique Rahman further said he wants to view people of other religions the same way he views people of his own religion. At that time, he expressed his commitment to viewing people of all religions, including Sanatan followers, Christians, and Buddhists, with equal eyes.
The Prime Minister said the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has come to the responsibility of running the state with the support and votes of the people of Bangladesh. The participation and cooperation of people of all religions are needed in carrying out this responsibility. He wants to build the desired Bangladesh by taking everyone along. Extending Sharadiya greetings to followers of the Sanatan religion, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman sought everyone's cooperation in building the country on the foundation of unity, mutual respect, and equal citizenship rights.
Earlier on Tuesday morning, the Prime Minister visited Rangpur. From there, he came to Rajshahi on a military aircraft. First, he delivered a speech as chief guest at the historic Madrasa Ground in Rajshahi. After that, he stayed for a while at the Rajshahi Circuit House and then visited the puja mandap at the city's Dharmasabha Temple and took part in a views-exchange meeting. At that time, he exchanged pleasantries with the leaders of the Rajshahi Puja Udjapan Parishad.
After completing his programs in Rajshahi, Prime Minister flew for Chattogram in the evening. There, he is scheduled to visit a puja mandap on the occasion of the Sharadiya Durga Puja. Accompanying the Prime Minister on his visit to Rajshahi were BNP Standing Committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Minister of Women and Children Affairs Professor A Z M Zahid Hossain, BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury, Minister of Disaster Management and Relief Asadul Habib Dulu, State Minister of Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad, State Minister of Local Government Mir Shahe Alam, and Dhaka District BNP President Nipun Roy Chowdhury, along with senior government officials.
