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Renewing her government firm stance against terrorism in the name of religion, Prime Minister Khaleda Zia said Wednesday no religion supports terrorist acts, reports UNB.
"Help the law-enforcers get those who carry out terrorist activities, no matter what religion they belong to," she said while exchanging greetings with noted personalities of the Hindu community on the occasion of Sharadiya Durga Puja.
The Prime Minister said the country would attain more progress and successes and there would be more employment opportunities if the problem of terrorism could be tackled effectively.
Khaleda said the people of all faiths living in the country have one identity - Bangladeshis.
She urged all irrespective of religion and opinion to work together to make the country self-reliant in all sectors so that everybody - Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians - could stand together raising their heads high with pride on the world stage.
Listing some successes Bangladesh achieved in social and economic sectors, the Prime Minister expressed the hope that the country would become self-reliant in all sectors within 15 years.
This was the second time a head of the government exchanged greetings with the Hindu community on the occasion of Durga Puja, the largest religious festival of the Hindus. Khaleda Zia started exchanging greetings with them last year.
State Minister for Water Resources Goutam Chakravarty conducted the programme at the International Conference Centre (ICC) of the PM Office.
Freedom fighter Major General (retd) CR Dutta Bir Uttam and Moharaj of Ramkrishana Mission Swami Akhhoranando Moharaj spoke on the occasion. On behalf of the Hindu community, they presented bouquets to the Prime Minister.
Referring to multiparty democracy she said there might be differences of opinion among people of different religions. But, the Prime Minister said, some people were carrying out a false campaign abroad to tarnish the country's image and affecting its people.
Mentioning the approval for celebrating Puja at Ramna Kali Mandir by her government and conducting survey to give land to Kali Mandir, she said those who had not taken initiatives in the past to do that are now spreading false propaganda against communal harmony.
Referring to the steps taken by her government for the welfare of the Hindu community she said that the temple library project was launched by her government first.
In response to their invitation to visit Dhakeshari Mandir and Raman Kali Mandir, the Prime Minister said she would try to visit those at a convenient time.
Speaking on the occasion, CR Dutta expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for her gesture to exchange greetings and inviting them to attend the function.
He thanked her for her government's all-out efforts to ensure a congenial atmosphere for celebrating Durga Puja with due religious fervour and joy.
Referring to a few incidents of damaging idols before Puja, Dutta said credit also goes to the government as Puja is also taking place in those areas after repairing the idols.
Appreciating the Prime Minister's gesture and initiative, Akkhoranando said, "We've been able to get closer through exchanging greetings - it's very essential for our coexistence."
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