People will perform their religious rites independently in Bangladesh: HPM Sheikh Hasina

Describing Bangladesh as a secular country, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged all not to resort to excessiveness over religion.

"Bangladesh is a secular country. People of all faiths will perform their religious rites independently here, which is enshrined in the Constitution.

“Islam also echoed the same as Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SM) said that don't make excess over the religion. So, we want to see that none will do excess regarding religion and everyone will live in the country in peace," she said.

The premier was presiding over a discussion arranged by the Awami League (AL) at its Bangabandhu Avenue central office in the capital marking the "Shaheed Sheikh Russel Day" and the 58th birthday of Sheikh Russel.

Sheikh Hasina, also president of the ruling AL, has vowed to turn Bangladesh into a pleasant abode for the children where their talents, knowledge and intellects will blossom naturally so that they can take the country forward towards development and prosperity.

She added: "Russel is no more today. But, there are thousands of children in the country. We have to ensure security for them and fulfill their every demand as they can lead a beautiful life and to be groomed as the worthy citizens of the country."

Quoting a few lines from the poem "Chhinapotra" of Poet Sukanta Bhattacharya, the premier said she couldn't know whether she would be able to make the world livable, but she made a pledge to make Bangladesh a livable place for the children.

"I want to establish a peaceful environment in Bangladesh for all, particularly for the children so that none has to give life like my youngest brother Russell," she continued.

Earlier, the premier unveiled a book titled "Bangabandhur Shikhya Dorshan" (Bangabandhu's Education Philosophy) published by AL's sub-committee on Education and Human Resources. AL General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister, Obaidul Quader gave the welcome address.

Among others, AL Presidium Members Begum Matia Chowdhury, MP, Agriculture Minister Dr. Muhammad Abdur Razzaque, MP, Advocate Jahangir Kabir Nanak, and Abdur Rahman, Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Central Executive Committee Member Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya Bir Bikram, Relief and Social Welfare Secretary Sujit Roy Nandi, Office Secretary Barrister Biplab Barua, Women Affairs Secretary Meher Afroz Chumki, MP, Dhaka South City AL President Abu Ahmed Monnafi and Dhaka North City AL General Secretary SM Mannan Kochi, spoke on the occasion.

Publication and Publicity Secretary of the AL Dr Abdus Sobhan Golap, MP, conducted the discussion from the Ganabhaban end.

Sheikh Russel, the youngest son of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was born on October 18 in 1964 at the historic Bangabandhu Bhaban at Dhanmondi 32 no road in the city.

He was martyred along with most of his family members, including his father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, on August 15, 1975 when he was a student of class four at the University Laboratory School and College.

To mark the day, government bodies, the ruling Awami League and its associate bodies, and different socio-cultural organizations have taken various programmes to observe the day at national and international levels.

Mentioning that Bangladesh is a small country in terms of area and largest one in view of the population, Sheikh Hasina said, "I wish every person of this country to get a beautiful and improved life as envisioned by the Father of the Nation. My target is to fulfil it."

The premier said since coming to power her government has been working tirelessly to ensure that no children will remain as "street children".

"Each child will have an address and no longer will they stay in the street," she said, adding, "Our government has been working to ensure that every homeless and landless person have a home.

Referring to the August 15, 1975 carnage in which 10-year-old Russell along with most of her family members were martyred, killings of thousands of military officers and soldiers in 19 coups during 1975
to 1981 in the names of trials, the premier came down heavily on those who are now talking about humanity.

She asked them to look into the matters, saying that she even could not file a case after returning home as a law was enacted to give indemnity to the killers of Bangabandhu and his family members.

Noting that many BNP leaders claimed that armed forces were disciplined and powerful during the regime of Ziaur Rahman, she questioned how it was possible to remain disciplined after the occurrence of 19 coups in the army.

Sheikh Hasina said that Ziaur Rahman had not only killed the Father of the Nation but also killed thousands of military officers and soldiers in the name of holding trials of the coups.

"They had no humanity in the past. Still, they have no humanity," she observed.

The premier said after assuming power they held trial of the killers of Bangabandhu and her family members while Khaleda Zia, wife of Zia, stopped the trial after coming to power in 2001.

She said Khaleda also reinstated the killers of Bangabandhu in jobs and many of them were promoted and took some of them to the parliaments. "What was the reason for Khaleda Zia to favor the killers?"

"It is crystal clear that Ziaur Rahman was directly involved in the August 15, 1975 carnage along with killer Mushtaq," she said.

The premier said it was a matter of great regret that Russel was killed at last after killing most of her family members following a direction. "Who had given the direction that the little one wouldn't have to remain alive?" she questioned.

Sheikh Hasina recalled the birth time of Russel, saying Russel was born on October 18 in 1964 when Bangabandhu was in Chattogram to conduct an election campaign for Fatema Jinnah. "Bangabandhu was informed about it over the phone," she added.

Russel always stayed beside Bangabandhu, after he was released from prison in February 1969, in fear of losing his father again as earlier Bangabandhu was arrested in May 1966 following the announcement of the six-point demand and he (Russel) was deprived of love and care of the father.

The premier in an emotion choked voice said that Sheikh Russell used to cry after meeting their father in jail.

"Russel did not want to sleep at night and used to cry on those days when they visited Bangabandhu in jail --he (Russel) could not say anything as he was too little, but he had suppressed his pain," she also said.

Noting that Sheikh Russel had a dream to be an army officer, she said, "He (Russel) used to gather all the children together and do a parade whenever we went to our village home."

Russel used to give Taka one to each of the children as rewards, she said, adding that her youngest brother asked their parents to give each of the children a new dress.

As per Russel's wish, the premier said, her mother gave new dresses to each of the children. Russel also used to have food with servants', she added.