Desk Report:
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called upon everyone to work together in unity to build the Bangladesh of the future—much like the collective efforts seen during the Great Liberation War, the movement to restore democracy, and the mass uprising of 2024.
He stated that religious identity has never been an obstacle in the struggles to achieve national independence, establish democracy, or secure the rights of the people. Similarly, in the task of nation-building ahead, everyone must rise above religious identity and work shoulder to shoulder.
The Prime Minister made these remarks on Sunday night (October 18) while visiting puja mandaps (worship venues) in the capital’s Mohakhali and Gulshan-Banani areas during the Sharadiya Durga Puja festival, where he exchanged greetings with members of the Hindu community. His wife, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, was also present.
The Prime Minister noted that during the 1971 Liberation War, people fought together for the country’s independence without regard for religious identity. Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians—all those who loved their country—contributed collectively to achieving independence.
He added that whenever democracy faced threats in the post-independence era, the people took to the streets to defend their right to vote and freedom of speech. In these movements, too, religious identity never stood in the way of unity.
Referring to the mass uprising of 2024, Tarique Rahman highlighted that people from all walks of life—men and women, regardless of political affiliation or social background—took to the streets. Without considering anyone’s religious faith, they stood shoulder to shoulder to ensure the success of the mass uprising.
Urging everyone to unite for the future task of nation-building, the Prime Minister emphasized that just as religious or ethnic identity was not a factor in the struggles for independence and democracy, it will not be the primary consideration in the future effort to build the nation. Instead, the sole defining factor will be one’s status as a citizen of Bangladesh.
He further stated that the most significant identity for everyone is that they are people of Bangladesh. Every citizen holds equal rights over the country. To establish that right, people of all religions and professions must come together to build the nation.
Highlighting Bangladesh’s history and traditions spanning a thousand years, the Prime Minister noted that people of all faiths have long lived together in this country in peace. It should be everyone’s aspiration that, for the next thousand years and beyond, people of all religions continue to live together in mutual harmony, goodwill, and peace.
Earlier that night, the Prime Minister visited the puja mandap (worship pavilion) at the Raksha Kali Temple in Mohakhali. There, she exchanged greetings with the leaders of the puja celebration committee and members of the Hindu community. Later, she visited the puja mandap in Banani, where she interacted with the devotees and visitors present.
