Let’s build Smart Bangladesh together irrespective of cast, religion: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today asked all irrespective of cast, creed and religion to work together to build a developed, prosperous and Smart Bangladesh by 2041.

“We, Hindu, Muslim, Bouddha and Christian will work shoulder to shoulder to take our motherland forward. We will build Sonar Bangla as envisioned by the Father of the Nation and Smart Bangladesh by 2041,” she said.

The prime minister was exchanging views with the Hindu community marking the Janmashtami, the holy occasion of birth of Lord Sri Krishna, also known as Janmashtami at her official Ganabhaban residence here.

She also called for constant vigil against any move to destroy country’s religious harmony and propaganda against its advancement.

She said Bangladesh is progressing and it will advance further towards Smart Bangladesh with having smart government, smart skilled manpower, smart economy and smart society as her government already transformed it into Digital Bangladesh as per 2008’s electoral pledge.

The premier said her government has restored the communal harmony and rights of the people irrespective of all casts, creeds and religions by amending the constitution after coming to power.

She said military dictator Ziaur Rahman annulled all the articles on protecting rights of all the religions and the freedom to celebrate religious festivals by amending the constitution.

Zia also abolished the Article 12 of the constitution which ensures religious neutrality, she said.

The secularism means the people of every religion will perform their religious rituals and festivals independently, she continued.

The prime minister reminded the Hindu community that the country belongs to all as everyone irrespective of cast, creed and religion made the country independent through nine months of battle against the Pakistani occupation forces during the War of Liberation in 1971.

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