PM at Chattogram Puja Mandap: 'Everyone's Only Identity Is Bangladeshi', Tk 20 Lakh Donation to Puja Council
After touring Rangpur and Rajshahi, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has now visited a puja mandap in Chattogram. Speaking at the JM Sen Hall puja mandap programme at Rahmatganj in the city on Tuesday evening, he said that regardless of religion, the only identity of every citizen of Bangladesh is Bangladeshi. He also sought everyone's cooperation in building a new Bangladesh and handed over a cheque of Tk 20 lakh as a donation to the Puja Udjapan Parishad.
The Prime Minister arrived at Chattogram's Shah Amanat International Airport on a military aircraft at 7:40 pm on Tuesday. Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie, Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Shahadat Hossain, local members of parliament, chiefs of law enforcement agencies and heads of various government organisations received him there.
After getting off the aircraft, the Prime Minister exchanged greetings with everyone standing in line. The presence of Jamaat-e-Islami member of parliament Shahjahan Chowdhury drew everyone's attention during the reception.
At one point, while shaking hands with Shahjahan Chowdhury, the Jamaat MP said to the Prime Minister, 'We welcome you on our behalf.' The courteous presence of a lawmaker from an opposing political stream added a distinct dimension to the occasion.
During the handshakes, the Prime Minister said to Chattogram superintendent of police Masud Alam, 'How are you, Masud, doing well?' Masud Alam responded with 'Sir, sir.' The Prime Minister's warm greeting became a talking point among those present.
From the airport, the Prime Minister went straight to the JM Sen Hall puja mandap. His visit was made to exchange greetings with members of the Hindu community during the Durga festival.
At the JM Sen Hall programme, the Prime Minister said that regardless of religion, the only identity of all citizens of Bangladesh is Bangladeshi, and he sought everyone's cooperation in building a new Bangladesh. At the same event, he handed over a cheque of Tk 20 lakh as a donation to the Puja Udjapan Parishad.
Speaking at the programme, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said the sole and primary identity of people of all religions living in Bangladesh is that they are all proud citizens of this country — 'Bangladeshi'. There is no scope to label anyone a 'minority' on the basis of religious or ethnic identity, he said.
The Home Minister also said: 'We have always come to the traditional JM Sen Hall. But some others came here before us too. They said, rest assured — we have spoken to a neighbouring country; they will keep us in power, relying on you. We do not believe in that kind of politics.'
The Prime Minister's continuing series of puja mandap visits, now reaching Chattogram after Rangpur and Rajshahi, is being seen in political circles as a message of communal harmony. In the port city he delivered the same message — that ensuring the security and dignity of people of all faiths is the government's commitment.
According to the Prime Minister's itinerary, after the puja mandap visit he is scheduled to join an organisational meeting of the BNP at the Radisson Blu Hotel. Local leaders consider the meeting important for reviewing the party's organisational activities.
The Prime Minister's visit took place amid tight security arrangements for the Durga festival across the country. Even the BGB has been deployed to guard puja mandaps in places including Sylhet, so that the festival is completed peacefully.
