Govet seeks unity, but a group is trying to spread confusion: PM

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called on people of all faiths to work together to build the Bangladesh they aspire to, saying the government wants national unity while a section is attempting to spread confusion.

He made the remarks on Tuesday while visiting the puja mandap at the historic Dharmasabha Temple, also known as the Radha Gobinda Temple, in Rangpur on the occasion of Durga Puja. It was his first visit to Rangpur since taking office as prime minister following the 13th parliamentary election.

“We liberated this country together, people of all religions, and established political rights together. If we want to build the Bangladesh we aspire to, people of all faiths and beliefs must work together for the country,” he said.

Recalling the Liberation War of 1971, Tarique said people from different religions, communities and professions had fought together for independence without religious distinctions. He said people from all walks of life had also joined movements to restore democracy whenever it came under threat.

Referring to the mass uprising in Bangladesh around two and a half years ago, he said students and people from different backgrounds had united to remove an authoritarian government and establish their rights.

The prime minister said people of all religions had lived together peacefully in Bangladesh for thousands of years and expressed his hope that they would continue to do so for another thousand years.

Tarique arrived at the temple premises at 12:04pm after landing at Saidpur Airport. He exchanged greetings with worshippers and spoke with devotees. Children welcomed him with dance performances.

Temple committee President Bhavatosh Sarkar and General Secretary Khokon Sarkar presented him with a crest. The prime minister handed the committee a cheque for Tk 1 million and said he would instruct the state minister concerned to look into financial assistance for constructing hostel-like facilities behind the temple.
‘Government for everyone’
Tarique said the government wanted to serve both those who voted for it and those who did not.

“We want to work for every area and every person. Considering the country’s economic situation, we want to distribute resources fairly and ensure balanced development across all regions,” he said.

Regarding development in Rangpur, he said Tk 18 billion had been allocated for the development of Rangpur city at a meeting held about two weeks earlier.

He added that the government would gradually develop necessary infrastructure, including bridges, culverts, schools and colleges, in districts, upazilas, unions and villages through local government bodies.

The prime minister urged people to set aside their differences and work together to implement development projects.

Expressing concern over what he described as efforts to undermine unity, Tarique said a section had been trying to spread confusion while the government sought to bring people together.

“I want to make one thing clear to everyone, especially those who are trying to spread confusion,” he said.

Recalling attempts in the past to make the Liberation War controversial, he said the people of Bangladesh had not accepted those efforts favourably.