Everyone enjoys religious freedom in Bangladesh

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said her government is determined to ensure equal rights for all citizens irrespective of their religions and castes.

"We believe that everyone in the country regardless of religion and caste will enjoy equal rights," she said while exchanging greetings with Hindu devotees at the Durga Puja mandap in the city's Dhakeshwari temple.

Durga Puja, the biggest religious festival of the Hindus, is being celebrated across Bangladesh amid festivities and tight security.

The premier said all irrespective of religion and caste unitedly fought for the independence of Bangladesh in 1971 and, so all have equal rights here.

"We all are the children of this soil. We'll live in this land enjoying our respective rights."

The PM asked the Hindu community to pray for Bangladesh and its progress during the festival.

She said Durga Puja is being celebrated in joyful and peaceful manner throughout the country and all the relevant government agencies, including police, and her party members are working sincerely so no untoward incident happens during the festival.

This time Durga Puja is being celebrated at over 32,000 puja mandaps across the country amid the peaceful environment, she went on.

The PM greeted all the Hindu community people in Bangladesh and throughout the world.

Bangladesh Puja Udjapon Parishad President JL Bhowmik and Mahanagar Sarbajanin Puja Committee President Manindra Kumar Nath spoke on the occasion.

Later, Hasina visited Dhaka Ramakrishna Mission and exchanged greetings with devotees.

Speaking there, she assured the Hindu community that her government will always stand by their side and facilitate them to enjoy their rights as it did in the past.

"You were born on this soil. So, we all will live in this land enjoying all due rights here. I can at least say that when we are in power, we definitely give this assurance and will be beside you."

"This country belongs to all …. Think always that this land is yours too."

Principal of Ramakrishna Math and Mission Swami Purnatmananda Maharaj delivered the welcome speech.