Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called on people of all religions to work together, shoulder to shoulder, to build Bangladesh. He said everyone should be regarded as Bangladeshi, regardless of religious identity. Although people may follow different religions, the state belongs to everyone, and it is the responsibility of the state to ensure equal rights and security for every citizen.

The Prime Minister made these remarks on Monday (October 19) while visiting a Durga Puja mandap at Dhakeshwari Temple in the capital on the occasion of Sharadiya Durga Puja. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and Social Welfare Minister Dr. A.Z.M. Zahid Hossain also spoke on the occasion.

Tarique Rahman said Bangladesh belongs to everyone and all citizens must work together to build the country. Every citizen has rights as well as responsibilities toward the nation. While the state is responsible for ensuring everyone’s security, citizens must stand beside one another and contribute to the country’s progress.

He said everyone is a child of this country and a Bangladeshi. One’s identity as a human being comes first. Although religious identities may differ, the rights and responsibilities of the state are equal for all.

Referring to the Liberation War, the Prime Minister said that when people took up arms to fight for independence in 1971, no one considered whether a person was Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist or Christian. Similarly, people took to the streets together during movements for democracy and voting rights, without considering religious identities.

Recalling the mass uprising of August 5, 2024, the Prime Minister said thousands and hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets. They did not ask one another about their religious identities. People from different religious communities also made sacrifices during the July Uprising to establish people’s rights.

He said the July Martyrs’ Memorial also bears the memory of sacrifices made by people from different religious communities. If the country undergoes positive changes, all citizens will benefit. Likewise, when someone suffers a loss, their religious identity does not determine that loss. Everyone must stand beside one another as human beings.

The Prime Minister urged people to recognize one another first as human beings and citizens of Bangladesh. Extending greetings to members of the Hindu community on the occasion of Sharadiya Durga Puja, he said the festival is an occasion for joy, unity and togetherness.