PM Greets Followers of Sanatan Religion on 'Int'l Hindu Conference'

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today greeted all the followers of Sanatan religion on the occasion of the 'International Hindu Conference' beginning tomorrow.

On the eve of the conference, the premier issued a message wishing success of all the programmes of the event.

She said Bangladesh has been maintaining communal harmony in the country for long time.

The greatest Bangalee of all time, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman ensured the freedom of people of all religions and communities to practice their respective religions in Bangladesh after the liberation of the country, she said.

She added that in continuation of this, during the current Awami League government, people of all religions and castes of the country are practicing their religions freely being inspired by the non-communal spirit and upholding the motto 'Religion is for individuals while festivals for all'. 

The Awami League government is determined to establish Bangladesh as a developed and peaceful country in the world by protecting the prevailing communal harmony in the country, she said.

She criticized the BNP-Jamaat as they always create discord in the name of religion in the country.

Mentioning that the minorities were attacked for 28 days over the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1991-1992, she said during that time, about 352 temples were gutted. 

Dhaka's temples were also demolished, she said, adding that later, the Awami League-led government built temples all over Bangladesh.

"There was a problem with the location of Dhakeswari National Temple, we solved it. Dhakeshwari National Temple's development work is going on at a cost of Taka 10 crore," the premier added.

"We have taken many steps for the welfare of the Hindu community," she said.

The renovation and development of 2,351 temples and religious institutions of Sanatan faith are going on all over the country, she said.

"For this purpose, we have allocated Tk 263 crore. The renovation and development of 1,600 temples and religious institutions have been also completed," said Sheikh Hasina.

About Bangladesh Hindu Parishad, she said it is one of the social organizations of the country formed for the purpose of human welfare.

The premier hoped that this organization will always stand beside the people and will play a more significant role in the welfare of the helpless and neglected people of the country in future.

She urged all to work together to build a hunger-poverty-free 'Smart Bangladesh' as dreamt by the father of the nation by 2041, being imbued with spirit of the great Liberation War.

She also called upon all to keep the bond of communal harmony intact in the country.