Secularism the way forward for Bangladesh, says Sheikh Hasina

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina emphasised the “secular” mindset of Kazi Nazrul Islam, the national poet of Bangladesh, and said that they are trying to take Bangladesh forward on a similar line of "secular thinking”.

On Saturday, Ms. Hasina was addressing the gathering during the convocation at Kazi Nazrul University at Asansol in Paschim Bardhaman district where an honorary Doctor of Literature was conferred on her.

“Nazrul was inspired by a secular way of thinking and we are trying to take Bangladesh forward on a similar line of secular thinking. Everyone there (in Bangladesh) enjoys equal rights regardless of religion and caste,” said Ms. Hasina.

She also said that Kazi Nazrul spread the message of both Islam and Hinduism to people in Bengali through his writings.

“He (Kazi Nazrul) believed in secularism and his message for humanity came out in every line of his writing,” said Ms. Hasina.

The Bangladeshi Prime Minister also said that Bangladesh has given shelter to more than 11 lakh Rohingya refuges from Myanmar on “humanitarian grounds” and wants the issue to be resolved.