Autocrat’s bullets did not see religion: Tarique
Photo: PMO
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said the autocrat’s bullets did not see who was Muslim, who was Hindu, or who was Christian. No one asked the religious identity of those who were martyred or injured.
He added, “This country is yours, this country is mine, this country belongs to all of us. We may be Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, or Christian, but our sole identity is that we are Bangladeshi.”
Tarique made these remarks on Tuesday night during his visit to the JM Sen Hall Puja Mandap in Chattogram and a meeting with members of the Hindu community. The Chattogram City Metropolitan Branch of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad organized the event.
At the beginning of his speech, the Prime Minister shared that he visited Puja Mandaps in Rangpur in the morning and in Rajshahi in the afternoon. Noting that he delivers the same message everywhere, he said, “The matter is not about new or old. The issue is how I think, how I see, and how I believe.”
In his address, the prime minister recalled the Liberation War 1971 and the July Mass Uprising 2024.
He added, “In 1971, the people of this country fought risking their lives. On the battlefield that day, no one looked at who was Muslim, who was Hindu, who was Buddhist, or Christian. The religious identity of those who were martyred was not looked at. Everyone’s goal was to liberate the country.”
Noting that democracy faced threats at various times after independence, Tarique said, “In July-August 2024, the students and the public ousted an autocrat. Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets. The autocrat’s bullets, however, did not see who was Muslim, who was Hindu, or who was Christian. No one asked the religious identity of those who were martyred or injured. Everyone had a single objective - to build a non-discriminatory and peaceful Bangladesh.”
Mentioning his 17-year stay abroad due to political reasons, the prime minister added, “As a Muslim, I am a citizen of this country. Whatever rights I have, you have the exact same rights over this country. Whatever the state gives me, the state will give you the same.”
He urged everyone - Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, and Christians - to work together to build the desired Bangladesh.
He said, “Without your cooperation, we cannot build that desired Bangladesh. Therefore, I seek everyone’s cooperation regardless of party, opinion, or religion.”
Arpan Kanti Banerjee, president of the Chattogram City Metropolitan Puja Udjapan Parishad, delivered the welcome address at the function, while General Secretary Nikhil Kumar Nath moderated the program.
