Build a Bangladesh where no one dares attack others over religion: Law minister

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman on Saturday said Bangladesh must be built into a country where none dares to attack anyone because of their religious identity. He said the government is working to establish a safe, just, and discrimination-free state for all.

He said everyone must unite against communalism, misrule, and all forms of discrimination under the "Bangladesh First" policy to build a truly prosperous Bangladesh.

The minister made the remarks while addressing the biennial conference of the Metropolitan Sarbojanin Puja Committee held at the Dhakeshwari National Temple premises in the capital.

Asaduzzaman said there is no need to identify or divide people based on religion. Every citizen of Bangladesh should be treated with equal dignity and equal rights. A person's identity should be defined by their humanity, not their religion, he said, adding that this is the foundation of a democratic and secular state.

None should get the courage others’ homes, places of worships and family members because of their religious identity.

"Just as the colour of a person's blood does not change with religion, citizens' rights should not differ on the basis of faith," he said. "If we can value and respect everyone as human beings, communal division and discrimination can be eliminated."

He said no one should have to seek special security arrangements to celebrate Durga Puja or any other religious festival. Bangladesh should become a country where every citizen naturally feels safe and can observe religious festivals without fear.

The minister also urged everyone to refrain from using religion for politics or electoral gains. Politics, he said, should be committed to public welfare, development, good governance, and the promotion of humanitarian values.

He said the government remains committed to ensuring religious freedom, justice, good governance, education, healthcare, and fundamental human rights. Its goal is to create an environment where every citizen can practise their religion freely and without obstruction.

Referring to the term "minority," the minister said it creates a sense of division. "The primary identity of the people of Bangladesh is that they are Bangladeshis," he said. While religious identity is a matter of personal belief, citizenship and rights are equal for everyone, he added.

He further said governments can sometimes become detached from reality because of the influence of power. Therefore, people from different walks of life should come forward with constructive criticism and suggestions to help keep the government on the right path.

Among others, Prime Minister's Special Assistant on Hindu, Buddhist, Christian and Indigenous Affairs Bijon Kanti Sarkar, Dhaka-7 MP Hamidur Rahman Hamid, Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad President Basudev Dhar, General Secretary Santosh Sharma, Metropolitan Sarbojanin Puja Committee President Jayanta Kumar Dev, General Secretary Dr Tapas Chandra Pal, and leaders of the Shri Shri Dhakeshwari National Temple Management Committee also spoke at the event.