The prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, on Wednesday called for maintaining a secular and democratic atmosphere in the country for building a happy and prosperous nation with contribution of every citizen.
'The country can progress if every citizen can contribute to its development under a secular and democratic atmosphere,' she said while addressing devotees during her visit to Dhakeswari National Temple and Ramkrishna Mission in the city on Wednesday afternoon.
She said the present government has been making relentless efforts aimed at establishing a secular Bangladesh through ensuring rights of every citizen irrespective of their religious identity.
She extended her greetings to the members of the Hindu community on the occasion of Durga Puja and said, 'It's nice to see that people of every religion are enjoying the Durga Puja and religious festivals of others communities together.'
On her arrival at Dhakeswari National Temple, leaders of Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Committee received the prime minister.
In the Ramkrishna Mission, principal of the mission Swami Amiyanandajee received her.
Awami League advisory council member Suranjit Sengupta, chief patron of Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Committee CR Dutta Bir Uttam, lawmakers Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin, Mijanur Rahman Khan Dipu, Puja Udjapan Committee president Subrata Chowdhury, committee leaders Nirmal Goswami addressed, among others, were present on the occasion.
The prime minister said, due to the government steps, people of the country have been celebrating their religious festivals, including Eid, Janmastami and Puja, peacefully and in a festive mood.
This year, she said, the Durga Puja is being celebrated at the highest number of 196 mandaps in Dhaka City while the number across the country is about 28,000, thanks to democratic and harmonious atmosphere in the country.
Economic solvency of the people also contributed to celebrating the religious festivals in festivity, she said.
The prime minister thanked the law enforcement agencies for their constant stride to ensure peaceful atmosphere across the country to help the members of the Hindu community to celebrate their biggest religious festival.
She said, peaceful coexistence is our constitutional right as we irrespective of caste, creed and religion have liberated the country together under the leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. She said the government has amended the constitution to ensure religious rights of all.
Listing various steps taken by her government for development of the country, she said, 'Our main goal is to make the country self-reliant with the united efforts of all so that Bangladesh can stand on the world stage keeping its head high.'
State minister for religious affairs M Shahjahan Mia, state minister for law, justice and parliamentary affairs Qamrul Islam, state minister for home Shamsul Haque Tuku, Awami League joint general secretary Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif and PM's press secretary Abul Kalam Azad were, among others, present.
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