AL Will Always Remain Beside Hindu Community: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today reassured the Hindu community of the country that Bangladesh Awami League (AL) will always remain beside them as in the past.

"We, Awami League was always beside you (Hindu community), and will remain beside you... ," she said while addressing the Hindu devotees during her visit to the Durga Puja Mandop at the Dhakeshwari National Temple this afternoon.

The premier said the Hindu community of the country has repeatedly been attacked, but Awami League always stood beside them.

In this regard, she referred to attack, repression and torture on the Hindu community in the country in 1992 and after 2001.

She said Bangladesh was even pushed back from the spirit of secularism after the brutal killing of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975.

The premier extended her greetings to Hindu community members at home and abroad on their sacred religious festival Sharadiya Durga Utsab and said, "Religion is for individuals, but festival is for all."

Bangladesh Puja Udjapon Parishad (BPUP) President JL Bhowmik and Mohanagar Puja Udjapon Parishad President Monindra Kumar Nath also spoke as Mohanagar Puja Udjapon Parishad General Secretary Romen Mondal conducted the function.

Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, local lawmaker Hazi Selim and BPUP General Secretray Dr Nirmal Kumar Chatterjee were also present.

The premier, as well, visited the Puja Mandop, and enjoyed a dance performance.

The prime minister said the government always tries to uphold and establish equal rights of all people irrespective of religious faiths in the country.

"We always believe that the people irrespective of all religions and castes will enjoy equal rights," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said all people together fought for Bangladesh and so, all have equal rights here.

"We all are the children of this soil. We'll live in this land enjoying our respective rights," she added.

The head of the government urged the Hindu community to pray for Bangladesh and its progress.

She said every house has come under electricity coverage and there is food in every house in today's Bangladesh.

The government is reaching the healthcare service to the doorsteps of the people as the development has touched every corner of Bangladesh, she added.

She went on saying: "Our job is to ensure the welfare of the people. We think that our sole responsibility is to ensure welfare of the people. Now our target is to build 'Smart Bangladesh' by 2041 and we'll be able to accomplish the goal."

Sheikh Hasina said the Puja is being celebrated in nice and peaceful manners throughout the country and all concerned government agencies including police and her party men are working sincerely so any untoward incident can't occur during the festival.

"We want this Puja celebration to end peacefully," she said, adding that the government has taken all necessary measures for peaceful celebration of the religious festival.

This time Durga Puja is being celebrated at more than 32,000 puja mandaps throughout the country amid the peaceful environment, she noted.

The annual five-day Sharadiyo Durgo Utsab has been being celebrated at temples and makeshift mandaps in the country since Thursday last._BSS