Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said his government is committed to ensuring that all citizens can live in peace and security regardless of political belief, religion or caste.
He made the remarks on Thursday while exchanging greetings with Buddhist community leaders at the Cabinet Division in the Bangladesh Secretariat in Dhaka on the occasion of Buddha Purnima.
“The main responsibility and commitment of our government is to build a state and society where every citizen of the country can freely practice and enjoy their religious rituals and rights,” he said.
The Prime Minister stressed that religion is a personal matter, but security is a universal right. He said the government does not support using religion for political purposes. “We do not want to use religion for political interests, nor have we done so in the past. Regardless of religion or caste, Bangalee and non-Bangalee alike will enjoy equal rights in all spheres—this is the policy of the current government,” he said.
Tarique Rahman said the country’s independence was achieved with the goal of building a safe and inclusive nation for all. “We, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians, all together liberated this country at the cost of millions of lives. Therefore, this independent Bangladesh belongs to you, to me, to all of us,” he added.
He also highlighted “Bangladeshi nationalism” as a guiding political philosophy, saying it ensures coexistence among different religious and ethnic communities. “Only the philosophy of Bangladeshi nationalism can ensure harmonious coexistence of all castes, religious communities and ethnic groups in the country. None of you should ever consider yourselves a minority,” he said.
At the start of his address, the Prime Minister extended greetings to Buddhists worldwide and said all religions guide people towards welfare. Referring to the teachings of Gautama Buddha, he noted that the Panchashila principles emphasise refraining from killing, stealing, adultery, falsehood and intoxicants.
He said values such as love, non-violence and compassion are central to Buddhism and added that following religious teachings alongside state laws could help build a humane society. “Alongside state laws, if every citizen properly follows their respective religious teachings, we all can build a humane state and society together,” he said.
The event was attended by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain, Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Minister Dipen Dewan, State Minister Mir Mohammed Helal Uddin, the Prime Minister’s special assistant on minority and ethnic affairs Bijon Kanti Sarkar, Bandarban lawmaker Saching Prue, BNP-nominated candidate for a reserved women’s seat Madhabi Marma, and Dr Sukomal Barua.
Representatives of the Buddhist community presented a commemorative crest and a replica of a Buddha statue to the Prime Minister during the event.
