Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday asked the Awami League leaders and activists to intensify their vigilance to maintain communal harmony across the country, describing the recent Cumilla incident as very unfortunate.
“Communal harmony will have to be maintained. Our leaders and activists will have to intensify their monitoring in every area,” she said while opening the newly constructed office building for Awami League’s Cumilla City Unit virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban.
Sheikh Hasina, also the AL president, also asked her party leaders and activists to take initiatives for holding ‘peace conferences’ and ‘peace processions’ so that no conflict occurs and people from all religions no matter whether they are Muslims, Hindus, Christians and Buddhists could live in a decent manner on this soil.
She said what happened in Cumilla is very unfortunate. “Islam never allows disgracing other religions. Alongside respecting one’s own religion, one has to show respect to others’ religions as well,” she said.
He said if the religion of other communities is defamed, it ultimately demeans own religion. “If we analyze the Cumilla incident we would see that our holy Quran was defamed while going to undermine other religion, which is very unfortunate,” she said.
The Prime Minister urged people not to take law into their own hands. “If anyone commits an offense, the perpetrators would have to face justice no matter who he or she is. Our government would try them,” she said.
She said the Prophet (SM) asked not to do excess over the religion. “Everyone will have to know, remind and follow it,” she added.
Hasina said those who sacrificed their lives in the great Liberation War are from all religions. The people from all religions shed their blood there. So, we all will have to keep it in mind that Bangladesh is of the people of all religions and castes.”
Referring to the recent incidents of breaking communal harmony, including in Cumilla and Pirganj of Rangpur, the Prime Minister said the government took all sorts of arrangements for the victims like providing them with dry and cooked foods, clothes and treatment.
“We’ll build houses for all the victims. We’ve already taken this step,” she said, adding that Awami League is always with victims.
When her government is taking the country forward in every sector, the Prime Minister said there is a section of people here who cannot tolerate the progress. They, particularly BNP-Jamaat and Khaleda, do not want Bangladesh to move on raising its head high with dignity because of their love for Pakistan.
LGRD Minister Tazul Islam, AL organising secretary Abu Sayeed Al Mahmood Swapon and local Awami League MP AKM Bahauddin and other local AL leaders joined the virtual the function from the new office building.
