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Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has stressed that no citizen should face discrimination on religious grounds, saying the government must ensure constitutional rights, religious freedom and security for everyone.
Speaking as the chief guest at the Banani Durga Puja mandap in the capital on Friday night, the minister said it was unfortunate that religious communities still had to seek security to celebrate their festivals.
“Every citizen’s right to freely practice their religion is constitutionally recognised. It is unfortunate for our national life that we repeatedly have to discuss ensuring security for religious celebrations,” he said.
Highlighting government support for this year’s Durga Puja celebrations, Salahuddin said Bangladesh had arranged the highest number of Puja mandaps, the largest budget allocation and the longest holiday period for the festival.
On politics, he urged political parties not to treat any religious community as a vote bank, stressing that every citizen had the right to make political choices according to their conscience.
The minister also called for mutual respect and peaceful coexistence among people of different faiths. He praised the mandap’s decorations for reflecting indigenous culture and design.
