Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed commented that past ‘fascist forces’ considered the Sanatan Dharmic people of the country a ‘vote bank’. He stated that in the 13th national parliamentary election, Sanatan Dharmic people shattered that misconception and myth.
He made these remarks while participating in the Janmashtami rally that began from Palashi Mor in the Dhaka University area on Friday (September 4) afternoon.
The Home Minister said that the Constitution of Bangladesh entrusts the state with the responsibility of ensuring religious practice and freedom for people of all faiths. The state will ensure that freedom.
He stated that the Constitution also explicitly prohibits discrimination based on religion. To ensure religious freedom, the right to worship for all religious communities, the freedom of those responsible for places of worship, and the right to establish new places of worship have been guaranteed.
Salahuddin Ahmed said, “We do not wish to merely enshrine these principles in books and the constitution. In reality, we will ensure this harmony and freedom. We have declared that.”
He said that while people may have religious identities, it is not primary to their national identity. “We want to exist here as citizens. All citizens of Bangladesh—Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and ethnic minorities—will freely practice their religious rituals and ceremonies according to their respective religions and cultures. However, as for nationality, we are all citizens of Bangladesh.”
The Home Minister further added, “There will be harmony among us. This will be our sole identity. That is why we say, as our leader has stated—Bangladesh first. If Bangladesh comes first, then we are Bangladeshis first, and only then do our religious, cultural, and ethnic identities follow. Bangladesh first, and Bangladesh for everyone.”
He urged that no one should identify themselves as a ‘minority’ as citizens of independent Bangladesh. Everyone should identify themselves based on their citizenship, not religion. They must identify themselves as citizens with equal rights in this country.
The Home Minister concluded, “So, what shall we say from today? We will maintain religious harmony. We will maintain social harmony and peace. There is no longer a need to use the term ‘communal harmony’. It will be religious harmony, coexistence, and social peace and harmony.”