Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday said education, research, arts and literature should remain free from political influence in a civilised society.

“I believe that politicising education, research and the practice of arts and literature is never a mark of a civilised society,” he said while addressing the Ekushey Padak 2026 award ceremony at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium.

The Prime Minister said the government is working to establish a liberal democratic state system with strong moral standards so that the country can move forward in all branches of knowledge, including education, literature, arts, science and technology.

“In this journey, we certainly expect guidance and direction from the country’s wise and learned citizens,” he said.

PM distributes Ekushey Padak 2026

Although politicians are entrusted with the responsibility of running the state, Tarique said, wise and distinguished citizens play the role of guiding forces in society.

He said the greater the number of accomplished individuals in a state and society, the more enlightened that society becomes in terms of prosperity and moral standards.

“So, the state honours distinguished citizens out of its own need, and in doing so, it honours itself,” the Prime Minister added.

Referring to the history of the award, he said Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, the proclaimer of Bangladesh's independence, had introduced the Ekushey Padak for the first time in independent Bangladesh from this very realisation.

He said the Ekushey Padak is not merely an award. "Through it, the nation remembers historic events from the 1952 Language Movement to the present day."

At the same time, he said, the award introduces the people to those distinguished individuals who have enriched themselves, the state and society through their contributions to education, literature arts and research.