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Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Md Asaduzzaman on Thursday said religion is a matter of faith and reverence and should not be exploited for political interests to create divisions or bloodshed among people.
“Bangladesh belongs to people of all religions and communities. We must build a beautiful and liveable Bangladesh by maintaining communal harmony and peaceful coexistence,” he said.
The minister made the remarks as the chief guest at a discussion and cultural programme organised by the Dhaka Bar Association on Thursday afternoon at its auditorium to mark the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna.
Asaduzzaman said, religion concerns people’s faith and their spiritual lives and should not be brought into politics in a way that causes bloodshed.
“There should be no politics based on communalism, nor should religion be turned into a means of business,” he said.
He said Bangladesh belonged to Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists and people of all other faiths and communities. Every citizen should be able to practise their own religion while respecting the faith and beliefs of others.
“Everyone must play a role in establishing a Bangladesh free from communalism based on peaceful coexistence among all communities,” he said.
The law minister said the story of Lord Krishna’s birth offers lessons about establishing justice in the face of injustice, oppression and cruelty.
“No matter how powerful someone may be, no one can escape the consequences of injustice and cruelty,” he said.
Asaduzzaman said a person’s religious identity should not determine how they discharge their responsibilities in the state and society; rather, justice, honesty and humanity should be the guiding principles.
“In a court, a lawyer’s identity is not defined by their religion. They perform their responsibilities as lawyers to uphold justice,” he said, stressing that the same spirit of mutual respect and harmony should prevail in every sphere of society.
The minister said Bangladesh should be built as a country where people of all religions and communities can live together peacefully.
“It is our collective responsibility to make Bangladesh a beautiful, peaceful and liveable land for the next generation,” he said.
Senior District and Sessions Judge of Dhaka Md Shahjahan Kabir, Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md Rafiqul Islam, Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman and Acting Chief Judicial Magistrate Md Mahbubur Rahman, among other judicial officials, Dhaka Bar Association leaders and its general members, attended the programme.