BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Monday warned that attempts to undermine Bangladesh’s tradition of communal harmony would be resisted, saying the country’s secular-minded and religious people would not allow such conspiracies to succeed.
“Some may conspire against this great tradition of Bengal, and some may plot against it. But the secular-minded and religious people of this country will never allow such attempts to grow or succeed. They will resist them, as they have done repeatedly in the past,” he said.
He made these remarks during a visit at the Durga Puja mandap at Jagannath Hall of Dhaka University.
He said people of different religious communities had lived together in Bangladesh for thousands of years, sharing one another’s festivals and cultural traditions.
“We have taken part in one another’s celebrations and considered each other’s joy as our own,” he said, stressing the importance of preserving this tradition.
The BNP leader said people of different faiths shared a common national identity, language, food habits, clothing and folk culture, despite their differences in religious beliefs.
Referring to the concept of Bangladeshi nationalism introduced by late President Ziaur Rahman, he said it provided space for people of all religious communities.
Rizvi also stressed that ensuring the religious rights and security of every citizen was the responsibility of the state.
“Everyone may have their own religion and beliefs, but everyone has rights before the state,” he said.
He said the government had taken several steps to help Hindu devotees celebrate Durga Puja peacefully and securely.
He said the government had extended the holiday period for the festival and increased the rice allocation for puja mandaps and temples.
He also said a government initiative to provide monthly honorariums to temple priests and attendants is being implemented.
Rizvi expressed hope that communal harmony would be further strengthened through greater practice of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.
He wished members of the Hindu community a joyful Durga Puja, expressing hope that the festival would strengthen bonds of brotherhood among people.