Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday said his government is committed to ensuring that people of all faiths can live in peace and security and enjoy equal rights, stressing that it does not want to use religion for political gain.
“The current government does not want to do politics in the name of religion. We do not want to exploit religion for political interests, and we have not done so in the past either,” he said while exchanging greetings with leaders of the Buddhist community on the occasion of Buddha Purnima.
The programme was held at the Public Administration Hall of the Cabinet Division at the Secretariat around 10:00am.
The Prime Minister said the government’s foremost responsibility and commitment is to build a state and society where every citizen can freely practise, observe and enjoy their respective religious beliefs, customs and rights without any obstruction.
“The government is committed to ensuring an environment where every person, regardless of party affiliation, religion or caste, can live in peace and security,” he said.
Tarique Rahman said the government’s guiding principle is that religion is a personal matter, but the right to security belongs to everyone. “Regardless of religion, ethnicity or belief – Bengali or non-Bengali, believer or non-believer – everyone will enjoy equal rights in all spheres, which remains the policy of the current government.”
He also said the freedom fighters achieved the independence of Bangladesh with the aspiration of building a safe country for all, irrespective of religion or belief.
The Prime Minister noted that Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians fought together and sacrificed their lives for the country’s independence. “During the Liberation War, no one asked who belonged to which religion, or who was a believer or a non-believer. So, this independent Bangladesh belongs to you, to me, and to all of us.”
He said one of the government’s political philosophies is “Bangladeshi nationalism”, which has repeatedly proven to be the most effective way of ensuring peaceful coexistence among people of all religions, ethnicities and communities.
Tarique Rahman urged everyone not to consider themselves as minorities, adding that the identity of the state belongs equally to all citizens and that every citizen shares the common identity of being Bangladeshi.
He said there are many religions in the world, each with a large number of followers. “Every religion guides people towards welfare and has its own set of rules and principles.”
The Prime Minister said the great religious leader of Buddhism – Gautama Buddha – gave his followers the Five Precepts (Pañca Sīla) which include abstaining from killing living beings, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, and intoxicants.
He also mentioned that love, non-violence, and compassion for all living beings are key teachings of Buddhism and these principles are important for every human being to follow.
“I think alongside state laws, if every citizen properly follows the teachings of their respective religion, we can all together build a humane state and society,” Tarique Rahman said.
He wished that the auspicious occasion of Buddha Purnima brings joy and significance to the Buddhist community.
At the programme, he also extended his heartfelt greetings to Buddhists in Bangladesh and around the world on the occasion of Buddha Purnima, marking the birth anniversary of Gautama Buddha.
On behalf of the Buddhist community, the leaders presented the Prime Minister with a commemorative crest and a replica of a statue of Gautama Buddha.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain (Kaikobad), Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Minister Dipen Dewan and State Minister Mir Mohammed Helal Uddin, Prime Minister’s Special Assistance on Hindu, Buddhist, Christian and Ethnic Affairs Bijon Kanti Sarkar, lawmaker from Bandarban Saching Prue, BNP-nominated MP candidate for reserved women’s seat from the hill region Madhabi Marma and BNP Chairman’s Advisory Council Member Dr Sukomal Barua, among others, were present at the programme