There is nothing like minority and majority in Bangladesh: HPM Sheikh Hasina

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today asked people of the Hindu community not to consider themselves minorities, and that they should instead lead life enjoying equal rights in Bangladesh.

"Why would you call yourselves a minority? ... There is nothing like minority and majority here. Rather, all citizens will live here enjoying equal rights. Don't undermine yourselves as a minority. Why are you doing so when you are the people of this country?" she said.

The prime minister said this while exchanging greetings with the members of Hindu community at the Gono Bhaban on the occasion of the holy Janmashtami.

She said those who were born on this soil, are the children of this soil and they have citizen rights. "So, you will live accordingly."

The PM said her government always tries to maintain religious and communal harmony in Bangladesh and keep a social solidarity where one won't undermine another and all the people will lead life enjoying equal rights.

"We know there are some vested people everywhere, who want to create some problems. All will have to pay attention so that none can create problems," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said there are some people who malign Bangladesh going abroad. "I would like to request all to be alert in this regard."

Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder, State Minister for Religious Affairs Md Faridul Haque Khan and State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Swapan Bhattacharjee, among others, spoke on the occasion.

The PM said the non-communal spirit of Bangladesh was damaged after the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975. People of the Hindu community were subjected to repressions time and again after military ruler Ziaur Rahman grabbed power illegally, she said.

Sheikh Hasina expressed her gratitude to people of the country for voting her party to power and giving the scope to restore the non-communal spirit in Bangladesh.

"Since they have allowed us to serve the country by voting for us, we've again been able to restore the non-communal spirit and uphold the spirit of the Liberation War through the amendment to the constitution and we've got the scope to implement the ideals of the Liberation War," she said.

Noting that secularism means people from all religions will practise their respective religions freely, she said her government has restored the non-communal spirit and announced that religions are for individuals, but the festivals are for all.

"I want you all to practise your respective religions properly," she said.