Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday alleged that a vested quarter is trying to undermine the country's communal harmony by creating divisions in the name of religion.

“A quarter is trying to destroy the harmony in the country by creating division in the name of religion,” he said.

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The minister made the remarks while addressing a views-exchange and representatives conference titled "Ensuring Protection and Security for Minorities", organised by the Sammilita Sanatan Parishad at the Diploma Engineers Institution auditorium in the capital.

Fakhrul, also the BNP secretary general, urged the people to be united against such ill-attempts to destroy the communal harmony.

“There is no place for extremism and fundamentalism in Bangladesh. We want to build a liberal, democratic and harmonious Bangladesh,” he said.

He said Bangladesh is a country that belongs to the people of all faiths who would continue to enjoy equal rights and dignity here.

“The government remains highly vigilant to ensure that no one can create unrest in society by creating divisions based on religion,” he said.

The LGRD Minister said people of different religions have been living together in harmony in this land for centuries. “So, there is no scope for creating division on the basis of religions,” he said.

"I never consider you a minority. You are the sons and citizens of this country," he told the Hindu community members.

The minister said the great 1971 Liberation War was the struggle for the freedom, dignity and economic emancipation of all people, regardless of religion.

Bangladesh must be built as a democratic, secular and humane state where citizenship, rather than religious identity, serves as the foundation of the nation, he said.

Fakhrul said the government has taken necessary measures to ensure the safety of people of all faiths and protect their places of worship since assuming office.

Addressing the Hindu community people, he urged them to present their problems and demands in an organised manner and assured them that the government would sincerely work to resolve their reasonable demands through discussion.

The LGRD Minister said Bangladesh's democratic journey should continue by upholding the spirit of the Liberation War and remembering the sacrifices made in the movements for establishment of democracy.

"Bangladesh will move forward not through religious division, but through mutual respect, communal harmony and equal rights for all," he added.

Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury inaugurated the programme. BNP lawmaker Luthfullahel Mazed (Mymensingh-8), Prime Minister's Special Assistant Bijon Kanti Sarkar, and leaders of various political, social and religious organisations attended the event.