Dhaka: Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday alleged that a vested quarter is trying to undermine the country’s communal harmony by creating divisions in the name of religion. “A quarter is trying to destroy the harmony in the country by creating division in the name of religion,” he said.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the minister made the remarks while addressing a views-exchange and representatives conference titled “Ensuring Protection and Security for Minorities”, organised by the Sammilita Sanatan Parishad at the Diploma Engineers Institution auditorium in the capital. Fakhrul, also the BNP secretary general, urged the people to be united against such ill-attempts to destroy the communal harmony.
“There is no place for extremism and fundamentalism in Bangladesh. We want to build a liberal, democratic and harmonious Bangladesh,” he said. He emphasized that Bangladesh is a country that belongs to the people of all faiths who would continue to enjoy equal rights and dignity here.
The minister asserted that the government remains highly vigilant to ensure that no one can create unrest in society by creating divisions based on religion. He highlighted the historical context, stating that people of different religions have been living together in harmony in this land for centuries. “So, there is no scope for creating division on the basis of religions,” he said.
Addressing the Hindu community members, Fakhrul stated, “I never consider you a minority. You are the sons and citizens of this country.” He further reminded that the great 1971 Liberation War was a struggle for the freedom, dignity, and economic emancipation of all people, regardless of religion.
He called for Bangladesh to be built as a democratic, secular, and humane state where citizenship, rather than religious identity, serves as the foundation of the nation. Fakhrul mentioned that the government has taken necessary measures to ensure the safety of people of all faiths and protect their places of worship since assuming office.
Urging the Hindu community to present their problems and demands in an organised manner, he assured them of the government’s sincere efforts to resolve their reasonable demands through discussion. The LGRD Minister reiterated that Bangladesh’s democratic journey should continue by upholding the spirit of the Liberation War and remembering the sacrifices made in the movements for the establishment of democracy.
“Bangladesh will move forward not through religious division, but through mutual respect, communal harmony, and equal rights for all,” he added. The programme was inaugurated by Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury, with the attendance of BNP lawmaker Luthfullahel Mazed (Mymensingh-8), Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Bijon Kanti Sarkar, and leaders of various political, social, and religious organisations.