Religious harmony Bangladesh's tradition, no scope for division: Muktadir

Commerce, Industries, Textiles and Jute Minister and BNP Chairman's Adviser Khandakar Abdul Muktadir today (4 September) said religious harmony remains one of Bangladesh's core strengths and there is no scope for creating divisions among the people on religious grounds.

"Religious harmony is the strength of Bangladesh. The people of this country will never allow anyone to create divisions among them," he said.

The minister made the remarks while addressing a discussion and religious programme as the chief guest at Swamibag in the capital, organised to celebrate the 5,252nd auspicious birth anniversary of Sri Krishna.

Muktadir said Bangladesh has a long-standing tradition of mutual respect, empathy and harmony among people irrespective of religion and caste.

"Attempts have been made at different times to create communal tension for political interests, but such attempts have failed to break the unity and mutual relations among the common people," he said.

He said although incidents of communal tension have drawn attention at different times in more than five decades since independence, the common people have no connection with such incidents.

"Some vested quarters have tried to create an atmosphere of division to achieve their political objectives," he said.

The minister said harmony forms the foundation of family, social and neighbourhood relations among the people of Bangladesh. Mutual cooperation and peaceful coexistence, rather than hatred based on religious identity, remain predominant in society, he added.

Referring to the situation after August 5, he said various discussions and rumours had circulated over the security of minority communities, but the actual situation remained different, said a ministry press release.

He said an atmosphere of harmony prevailed at temples, mosques, pagodas and churches across the country.

"The common people have always played a responsible role in protecting the security and dignity of religious places," he said.

Emphasising national unity for the country's development and progress, Muktadir said a politics of division cannot be desirable in a densely populated country like Bangladesh.

He called upon people to set aside differences in religion, age, profession and opinion and work together in the national interest.

The minister also urged people holding leadership positions to maintain patience, tolerance and the mentality to accept criticism.

He reaffirmed the government's commitment to ensuring religious freedom and equal rights for all citizens.

"Cooperation will continue for the development and renovation of every religious institution in the country. The rights of people of all religions will be protected equally, whether it is a mosque, temple, church or any other place of worship," he said.

Muktadir also described Iskcon's non-political position as one of its strengths and extended greetings to all on the occasion of Sri Krishna Janmashtami.

Iskcon Bangladesh Vice-President Advaita Navadwip Swami Maharaj spoke as the keynote discussant.

State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Engineer Ishraq Hossain and Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Welfare Front Chairman and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister in the rank of State Minister for Hindu, Buddhist, Christian and Ethnic Affairs of Bangladesh Bijon Kanti Sarkar addressed the programme as special guests.

BNP National Executive Committee Member Debashish Roy Madhu, Dhaka South City BNP Joint Convener Mokbul Islam Khan Tipu, Hindu Religious Welfare Trust Trustee Sudip Ranjan Sen Bappu, and Iskcon Bangladesh Executive Committee members Bimala Prasad Das, Hrishikesh Gouranga Das, Yugadharma Das and Shubha Nitai Das, among others, attended the programme.

Iskcon Bangladesh Treasurer Jyotishwar Gaurahari Das delivered the welcome address, while Swamibag Ashram President and Iskcon Bangladesh General Secretary Nitai Swami Maharaj chaired the programme.