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President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called for the formation of a national committee to ensure equal citizenship rights and facilities for people of all religions in Bangladesh.
He made the call in a greeting message to members of the Hindu community and the people celebrating Durga Puja and Bijoya Dashami at a reception held at Bangabhaban on Wednesday morning.
The president’s wife, Rahat Ara Begum, was present at the programme, according to a press release issued by the President’s Press Wing.
“Religion is individual, but the state belongs to everyone. Everyone has the right to security and justice,” the president said.
Noting that Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians are all citizens of the country, he said the Constitution guarantees equal rights, dignity and religious freedom to everyone.
At a time when wars, violence and communal conflicts are taking place in different parts of the world, people of all religions in Bangladesh are celebrating their respective festivals peacefully, he said.
“This harmony is our strength and our identity. It must be preserved at all costs,” he added.
The president warned that attempts are sometimes made to create divisions through rumours, misinformation and religious extremism. He called for a firm and uncompromising stance against such efforts, stressing that the younger generation must stand up for truth, justice and humanity.
“This country belongs to all of us. We must build it together. No evil force should be allowed to undermine national unity and progress by creating divisions,” he said.
He also noted that the participation of people from all religious communities in the Liberation War, democratic movements and struggles against injustice forms the foundation of national unity.
Extending greetings to the Hindu community on Bijoya Dashami, the president said he was delighted to welcome the guests to Bangabhaban for the festive occasion.
He said the central message of the festival was the destruction of evil and the triumph of truth, beauty and welfare.
“No citizen should face discrimination or persecution because of their religion, ethnicity or community identity,” he said.
Earlier, when the president arrived at the Credential Hall of Bangabhaban, leaders of the Hindu Religious Welfare Trust, Bangladesh Hindu-Buddha-Christian Welfare Front, Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad and Mahanagar Sarbojanin Puja Committee greeted him with flowers.
The president also exchanged greetings with other guests and visitors attending the reception.
Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain, State Minister Mohammad Shamim Kaisar, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant for Hindu, Buddhist, Christian and ethnic minority affairs Bijon Kanti Sarkar, who holds the rank of state minister, and senior government officials were present.
