Politics over religious sentiment won’t be tolerated: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today warned that the government will not allow anyone in Bangladesh to do politics over religious sentiment. 

"At least, this can’t be done in Bangladesh…we won’t allow this in the country," she said.

The Prime Minister was speaking at a function organised by Women and Child Affairs Ministry at Osmani Memorial Auditorium marking the 85th birth anniversary of Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib, the wife of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who was killed along with most of her family members, including Bangabandhu, on the fateful night of August 15, 1975.

She said various incidents are now occurring in the country and the government is tackling those. "At least our government is not sitting idle." 

Sheikh Hasina mentioned that the wave of terrorism and militancy that spread to different parts of the world also hit Bangladesh. "We’re trying to check those with an iron hand," she added.

The Prime Minister said 90 percent people in Bangladesh are Muslims, and there were so many attempts to unleash terrorism and militant activities in this country. 

"But, Bangladesh is a non-communal country. This is how Father of the Nation brought the country’s independence…we’re building the country on that way and we want to maintain that path," she said.

Expressing her sorrow over the suicide bomb attack on a mosque after Juma’ prayers in Saudi Arabia she said, “Are they Muslims? Those who commit suicide and kill other Muslims, how could they be Muslims? Which religion they are protecting?" 

The Prime Minister mentioned that the Al-Qaida claimed that they are killing bloggers here.

"So where’s the answer to this conflict…Muslims are killing Muslims through suicide attacks, again killing people and bloggers for writing against religion, then which one is real, which one is true, which path people will follow," she asked.

Hasina also questioned for whose interest and for which religion haters, killings, bloodletting are going on. "I don't know whether someday anyone will be able to answer."

Terming Islam as the religion of peace, she said those who are polluting Islam can’t be the believer of any religion. 

"How they will announce themselves as Muslims who kill another Muslim being a Muslim. In one hand, they’ll kill people and on other hey will do politics capitalizing on religious sentiment, we can’t allow this…at least not in Bangladesh" she said.

The Prime Minister said the people of Bangladesh are peace-loving ones and the Father of the Nation brought independence for the nation. "So we have to uphold the spirit of independence."

Chaired by State Minister for Women and Child Affairs Minister Meher Afroz Chumki, the function was addressed, among others, by chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Women and Child Affairs Ministry Rebeca Momen, MP, Bangla Academy director general Dr Shamsuzzaman Khan, Chairman of Jatiya Mahila Sangstha Prof Momtaj Begum and Bangladesh Shishu Academy Chairperson Selina Hossain.