Dhaka, Oct 19 (UNI) Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday asked people to refrain from engaging in religious excesses as the government wants to ensure peaceful coexistence of people from all religions.
"Bangladesh is a country of secular spirit; the people of all religions will perform their religious rituals freely as our constitution has given that directive," she said.
Her comments came hours after she directed Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan to identify those responsible for the attacks on temples and homes of the Hindu community during Durga Puja celebrations and to take stern action against them as soon as possible.
On Tuesday, the ruling Awami League held 'harmony rallies' and peace processions across the country against the recent spate of communal violence targeting the minority Hindu community.
Hasina directed the Home Minister to find out the perpetrators through a fair investigation and to take stern action, Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam told reporters after the weekly Cabinet meeting today.
She presided over the meeting from her official residence Gono Bhaban.
In another move, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Tuesday urged party activists to build resistance against communal forces. "We, along with the people of the country, will unitedly build resistance under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina," he said during the party's "harmony rally."
During a meeting of her Awami League party on Monday evening, Hasina asked all leaders and activists of the party to resist communal forces. She also called up the people of the country to maintain communal harmony at any cost.
The AL and its associated bodies have decided to organise anti-communal protests in all districts, cities and upazilas, said a press release from the party.
The party leaders are to also visit the various areas which came under communal attacks during the Durga Puja celebrations.
For the past nearly a week, Bangladesh has been rocked by a spate of communal attacks on Hindu homes, temples and Durga Puja pandals following a rumour spread through social media of an alleged instance of disrespect to the holy Quran.
On Tuesday evening, addressing a discussion on the birth anniversary of Sheikh Russel, the youngest son of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, marking Sheikh Russel Day 2021, Hasina said Islam also advises peaceful performance of rituals of all religions.
The Awami League organised the programme at its Bangabandhu Avenue central office. The Prime Minister joined it from her official residence the Gono Bhaban.
The prime minister, who chaired the programme, said the aim of the government is to ensure the coexistence of people from all religions in a peaceful environment.
Hasina said Bangladesh is a small country in terms of its geographical size, but it is a big one if the size of its population is considered. "I want all to have a prosperous and beautiful life and enjoy their basic rights."
Talking about the ill fate of Sheikh Russel, who was assassinated with other family members of Bangabandhu on August 15, 1975, she said no other child of the country should embrace that fate anymore. "Unfortunately, we're seeing that cruelty till today," she said.
She mentioned the arson terrorism of BNP under the leadership of then opposition leader Khaleda Zia.
"We saw people getting killed in arson attacks, and children burnt alive."
Hasina vowed to ensure a better life for all children of the country. "Not a single child will roam in the street, everyone will get shelter, every child will have the opportunity to flourish his or her talent, knowledge and creativity so that the children can take Bangladesh forward," she said.
"Russell is no more, but thousands of children of the country are there, we want to ensure a better life for them so that they could grow as the worthy citizens of the country imbued with patriotism. We want to do that," she said in her emotion-choked voice.
Recalling the bloodshed of the past, she hoped there would not be a repeat.
Earlier, the prime minister unveiled the book “Education Philosophy of Bangabandhu,” published by the AL Education Sub-committee.
UNI/RN