Regardless of religion or caste, we are all children of this country: Prime Minister

Bangla Press Desk: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called upon people of all faiths to work shoulder to shoulder to build Bangladesh.
He also urged everyone to transcend religious identities and view one another simply as Bangladeshis. He made these remarks on Monday (October 19) while visiting a *puja mandap* (worship pavilion) at the Dhakeshwari Temple in the capital, on the occasion of the Sharadiya Durga Puja. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmad and Minister of Social Welfare Dr. A. Z. M. Zahid Hossain also spoke on the occasion.
The Prime Minister stated, "This country is yours; this country is mine. Let us all work together, shoulder to shoulder, to build this nation." Emphasizing the need to look beyond religious affiliations, he noted that while religions may differ, the state belongs to everyone. Every citizen possesses equal rights within this state, and it is the state's responsibility to ensure the security of all its people.
The Prime Minister remarked, "You may follow one religion, and I may follow another, but the state belongs to us all. The state of Bangladesh belongs to every one of us. You have rights in this country, and so do I; you have duties toward this nation, and I have duties as well."
Highlighting the state's obligations and the importance of mutual cooperation among citizens, he said, "It is the state's duty to provide security to you, just as it is its duty to provide security to me. It is our collective responsibility to look out for one another. By working together, we shall move this country forward."
The Prime Minister added, "We are all children of this land—we are the people of this country, we are Bangladeshis. Above all, we are human beings; that is our primary identity. Everyone present here is a Bangladeshi."
Referring to the Great Liberation War, Tarique Rahman said, "When the people of this country threw themselves into the Liberation War in 1971 to seize the sun of independence, no one stopped to ask who was Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, or Christian." "We did not see this on the battlefield, nor did we ever ask about it."
Recalling the participation of people of all faiths in the movements to establish democracy and the right to vote, the Prime Minister said, "Later, whenever democracy faced threats—when people took to the streets to secure their political rights and the right to vote—no one ever asked the person beside them, 'Brother, are you a Muslim, a Hindu, a Buddhist, or a Christian?' No one asked. Back then, we were all united in our demand for the right to free speech and the right to vote."
Reflecting on the mass uprising of August 5, 2024, she remarked, "It was not long ago—less than two and a half years, in fact. August 5, 2024. If I close my eyes, all those scenes come flooding back. During that mass uprising, thousands, even hundreds of thousands, took to the streets. Did any of us ask one another, 'Brother, what is your religion?'"
Highlighting the sacrifices made by people of all faiths during the July uprising, the Prime Minister said, "People of every religion were present. Among those who were martyred—I just inaugurated the 'July Martyrs' Memorial' at Osmani Udyan today—there are Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, and Christians. They all laid down their lives to secure the rights of the people."
Urging everyone to work together for the country's development and transformation, Tarique Rahman stated, "If this country changes, if the lives of its people improve, then you will benefit, and I will benefit as well."
He added, "When someone suffers, their religion is not the focus; likewise, when people are doing well, religion is not what we look at. We simply recognize that you are a human being, and so am I."
The Prime Minister further urged, "Let us view one another, first and foremost, as human beings." ‘We know and recognize one another as fellow citizens of this country—as Bangladeshis.’ Extending her greetings to all followers of the Sanatan (Hindu) faith on the occasion of the Sharadiya Durga Puja, the Prime Minister said, ‘Today’s celebration is an occasion of joy; it is a gathering that brings people together.’

BP/TD