Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday asked the Hindus to live in Bangladesh with full rights, being the ‘children of the soil’. “You’re the children of the soil. You’ll live here with your full rights,” she said, while visiting the Ram Krishna Mission and Dhakeswari Temple to see the Puja Mandaps there. Hasina also said that the Hindus of the country musthave the confidence that they are the children of the soil like those of other religions. “You’re living in the country with your due rights and you’ll continue as such.” Since assuming office, the present government, has been working tirelessly to establish equal rights of all citizens, she said, adding: “People of all religions are living in the country like relatives.”
The prime minister said that during the great Liberation War, all people irrespective of religion and race took part in the fight to liberate the country under the leadership of father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Recalling several attempts destroy communal harmony in the
country, she said these vested quarters never wanted communal peace in the country.
“I don’t believe, these people believe in the real Islam. Those who truly believe in Islam can never attack the people of other faiths.”
Hasina also mentioned that it is a great sin to put hindrance on performing religious activities by the people of other faiths. “Our great Prophet (PBUH) also said this,” she said.
The prime minister said this government, after coming to power through the 2008 election, has amended the Constitution to establish the spirit of the Liberation War again. “Through this (15th) amendment, we ensured the rights of all religions and race in the country.”
She said the people of the country were living in communal harmony, but it was destroyed after the killing of the father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975.
Hasina said that after taking the office, her government has changed the bad image of the country. “In the recent past, Bangladesh was known as the country of militants and terrorists; Bangladesh was known as failed state.”
She urged all to work together for the welfare of the country and make Bangladesh a middle-income country by 2021.
-With UNB/The Independent input
