PM vows equal rights, security for all citizens regardless of religion

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday pledged to ensure equal rights and security for all citizens, regardless of religious affiliation, saying it was his responsibility as head of government to protect everyone’s rights.
He made the remarks at an exchange of views with Hindu community leaders from the Dhaka-17 parliamentary constituency at his secretariat office in Dhaka ahead of the Durga Puja festival. The leaders also invited him to attend the festival. “Regardless of religion, I am doing my utmost to ensure the rights and security of all citizens as head of the government,” he said, adding that he was committed to doing more for the welfare of the people.
Thanking the leaders for acknowledging the government’s initiatives to extend Puja holidays and increase grants, Tarique said the measures reflected its goodwill, while efforts were continuing to address other concerns.
He noted that people of all faiths had fought together in the Liberation War and taken part in democratic movements, including the 1990 mass uprising and the 2024 movement. “If we put aside our religious identities during critical moments in our national history, why should we consider them in other matters? We fought together to liberate the country and establish democracy,” he said.
He also recalled the persecution faced by different religious communities under the previous fascist Awami League government, saying members of the Hindu community had suffered alongside their Muslim compatriots. The Hindu leaders said they had been living peacefully since the last parliamentary election and had faced no problems. They expressed satisfaction with the government’s initiatives and pledged continued support and co-operation.
BNP Executive Committee member Ramesh Dutta, Gulshan-Banani Sarbojonin Puja Foundation President Alok Saha and Baridhara DOHS Puja Committee President Jiban Kanai Das were among those present.