No religion supports conflict, terrorism: PM Sheikh Hasina

"No religion supports conflict, terrorism, militancy and destructive acts. But some human beings harbour ill intention...we want the people to be freed from bad intention and honour each other. We believe it can ensure honour and dignity for all," she said.

The Prime Minister was addressing the Hindu devotees while visiting the Durga Puja Mandops at Dhakeswari National Temple and Dhaka Ramkrishna Mission in the city this afternoon.

The Prime Minister first visited Dhakeswari National Temple and then Dhaka Ramkrishna Mission.

State Minister for Youth and Sports Biren Shikdar, President of Bangladesh Puja Udjapon Parishad Kajal Devnath and General Secretary Jayanta Kumar Dey and General Secretary of Mohanagar Sarbojonin Puja Committee Narayan Saha Moni spoke on the occasion, while President of Mohanagar Sarbojonin Puja Committee JL Bhowmik chaired the function at Dhakeswari National Temple.

Principal of Ramkrishna Math and Mission Swami Dhrubeshananda delivered the welcome address at the function held at Dhaka Ramkrishna Mission.

Earlier, leaders of Bangladesh Puja Udjapon Parishad and Mohanagar Sarbojonin Puja Committee greeted the Prime Minister by presenting her with flower bouquets at Dhakeswari National Temple.

The officials of Dhaka Ramkrishna Mission also congratulated Sheikh Hasina by presenting bouquets at the outset of the function there.

The Prime Minister said the people of every religion are living together in this country with the spirit of fraternity. "You are the sons of the soil and so you will live here with self-confidence and dignity," she said.

Extending her greetings to members of the Hindu community on the occasion of their largest religious festival Saradiya Durgoutsab, she said: "Religion is the affair of individuals but festivals are for all."

Sheikh Hasina said her government has ensured freedom of performing religious rites and enjoying equal rights of people irrespective of their religions, creed and caste through the amendment to the constitution. "In the same way we have established harmony among people of every religion," she said.

In this connection, the Prime Minister said one of the four main principles of the constitution, secularism, was scrapped after the assassination of Bangabandhu in 1975.

"Bangabandhu was killed not only for eliminating a family, the aim of the killing was to destroy the spirit of independence," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said her government after coming to power in 2009, restored the spirit of the War of Liberation by incorporating secularism in the constitution again, adding that secularism does not mean 'no religion'.

Sheikh Hasina said the puja is being held across the country in a very peaceful atmosphere and the people of other religions also joined the festival of Durga Puja.

She thanked members of the law enforcement agencies and local people for their cooperation in peaceful celebration of the festival.

The Prime Minister said the people of all faiths fought for independence of the country under the leadership of Bangabandhu. "The people irrespective of caste, creed and religions joined the Liberation War by responding to the call of Bangabandhu and they shed their blood to achieve independence," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangabandhu dreamt of establishing a poverty and hunger-free Sonar Bangla. "We are striving to achieve the goal and the country advanced much in this regard," she said.

The Prime Minister said Bangladesh has already been established as a peaceful nation in South Asia, while its economy has stood on strong footing.

She also wished beautiful and peaceful life of the people of all religions in the country. "We wish humanity to win," she added.