Refrain from doing religious excesses, says PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday asked all to refrain from doing religious excesses as the government wants to ensure peaceful coexistence of people from all religions, reports UNB.

"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.

Sheikh Hasina said this while addressing a discussion on the birth anniversary of Sheikh Russell, the youngest son of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, marking Sheikh Russell Day 2021.

Awami League organised the programme at its Bangabandhu Avenue central office. The Prime Minister joined it from her official residence Ganobhaban.

The Prime Minister, who chaired the programme, said Islam also advises peaceful performing of the religious rituals of all religions. "Our Prophet (PBUH) advised not to do excesses with religion. We want no one to do excesses with religion," she said.

Hasina 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 Russell who was assassinated with other family members of the Father of the Nation 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."

When Khaleda Zia was the opposition leader, running buses were set afire when a father saw his son was burning alive. "That time of cruel incident happened in the country ....that was the most unfortunate for Bangladesh," she said.

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.

Meanwhile, at cabinet meeting on the day, Prime Minister directed the Home Minister to hunt down those who were involved in the recent communal attacks in the country and take stern action against them.

"She has again given a clear instruction to the Home Minister to take stern action against those who were behind the incidents as soon as possible completing investigations," said Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam replying to a question at a briefing after the virtual Cabinet meeting.

He said the religious and political personalities were simultaneously requested to raise public awareness and not to react to anyone's small twist of act. The Prime Minister chaired the Cabinet meeting joining it from her official residence Ganobhaban.

Other cabinet members were connected from the Bangladesh Secretariat.

The Cabinet Secretary expected that there might be some quick progress in the investigation into the Cumilla incident.

He said Islam does not allow and authorize any Muslim to go for destructive acts in the case of the defamation of the religion and it is quite unacceptable to Islam.

"One can stage protests and demand the government bring the perpetrators to justice and give them punishment," he said.

In the case of defamation of the Holy Quran, the Quran does not give anyone the authority to destroy anything of other religion, the Cabinet Secretary added.