Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman today underscored the importance of treating every citizen with equal dignity and rights, regardless of their religion. Speaking as the chief guest at the biennial conference of the Mohanogor Sarbojanin Puja Committee held at the Dhakeshwari National Temple, he stressed that citizens' rights should not vary based on religious grounds. "Just as a person's blood does not change colour because of their religion, citizens' rights cannot vary on religious grounds either," he remarked. "If we can value and respect everyone as human beings, only then will it be possible to eliminate communal divisions and discrimination."
The minister emphasized that Bangladesh should be built as a country where every citizen feels safe and can celebrate religious festivals without fear or disruption. He cautioned against using religion for political or electoral gains, advocating instead for politics guided by public welfare, development, good governance, and human values. "The present government's goal is to create an environment in which every citizen can practise his or her religion freely and without hindrance," he added.
Addressing the issue of encroachment on the land of the Dhakeshwari National Temple, the law minister assured that the government would take necessary steps to recover the occupied property. He vowed that no land grabber, criminal, or mafia syndicate would be allowed to retain possession of the temple's property permanently and promised the authorities the government's full cooperation in this regard.
Prime Minister's Special Assistant on Hindu, Buddhist, Christian and Ethnic Minority Affairs Bijon Kanti Sarkar, Dhaka-7 lawmaker Hamidur Rahman Hamid, Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad President Basudeb Dhar, its General Secretary Santosh Sharma, Mohanogor Sarbojanin Puja Committee President Jayanta Kumar Dev, its General Secretary Dr Tapas Chandra Pal, and leaders of the Dhakeshwari National Temple Management Committee were among those who addressed the function.
