Staff Reporter, Dhaka : Fisheries and Livestock State Minister Sultan Salauddin Tuku has said the government wants to build a Bangladesh of communal harmony by overcoming religious divisions and bringing people of all faiths together.

He made the remarks while addressing a discussion as the chief guest after visiting Sri Sri Ramakrishna and Panchabati Ashram in Savar on Monday afternoon.

“This country belongs to all of us. There is no distinction between minorities and majorities. We are all Bangladeshis. Religion is for individuals, but the country belongs to everyone. Every citizen has the right to security,” he said.

Sultan Salauddin Tuku, who is responsible for overseeing law and order and other development activities in Dhaka district, said the government had increased its allocation for Durga Puja celebrations this year compared to the previous year. He thanked the Prime Minister for the increased allocation.

The state minister said the government had taken all possible measures to ensure the security of every citizen. Members of law enforcement agencies were performing their duties, while leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its affiliated organisations were working in coordination with Puja celebration committees to prevent any untoward incidents, he said.

He said Bangladesh did not want people with a mentality of committing murder, enforced disappearance and torture. “We want a peaceful Bangladesh where people work for one another,” he said.

Criticising what he described as fascist forces, the state minister said those who had worked against the interests of the people had been ousted from the country through a united mass movement. “No matter how much they threaten us, the people will respond with unity,” he added.

Among others, Dhaka-19 MP Dr Dewan Mohammad Salahuddin, Dhaka Deputy Commissioner Farida Khanam, Dhaka District Council Administrator Yasin Ferdous Murad, Additional Superintendent of Police (Savar Circle) Rakibul Hasan Ishan and Savar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Saiful Islam attended the programme.

Officials of the district and upazila administrations, members of law enforcement agencies, leaders of Puja celebration committees, and leaders and activists of the BNP and its affiliated organisations were also present.

Later, the state minister visited the Puja mandap at the residence of the late Jagadish Chandra Das in Dhamrai.