Published : 05 Sep 2026, 02:32 AM
Updated : 16 Sep 2026, 11:47 AM
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has called on members of the Hindu community to identify themselves as citizens of Bangladesh instead of identifying themselves as members of a minority.
He said, "We hope that none of you, as independent citizens of Bangladesh, will identify yourself as a minority. That all of you will identify yourselves on the basis of citizenship, not on the basis of religion. All of you will identify yourselves as citizens of this country with equal rights."
The home minister made the remarks at the Central Janmashtami Festival-1433 at the Dhakeshwari National Temple premises in Dhaka on Friday.
The program was organised by the Metropolitan Sarbojanin Puja Committee and the Bangladesh Puja Udjanpan Community on the occasion of the Central Janmashtami Shobhajatra.
Speaking of his determination to build a “non-communal Bangladesh”, the minister said: "Our leader has clearly said - 'Bangladesh First'. And if Bangladesh comes first, then we are all 'Bangladeshis First'.
"Our religious, social or ethnic identity will come after that. The government's main policy in running the state is that Bangladesh is for all."
Pointing to the previous Awami League government, Salahuddin said: "In the past, some thought of gaining political power by considering the Hindu community as the 'vote bank' of a particular party, but the conscious people of this country have completely shattered that misconception and artificial myth.
"The people are the judges. You have already given the verdict and, in the future, you will have a united role in keeping democracy strong and standing against all evil forces and extremism."
He also claimed that religious freedom and the practice of people of all religions across the country have been ensured in the six months since the current government took office.
The minister said, “The Constitution of Bangladesh has given the state the responsibility of ensuring religious freedom and the practice of all religions. It states that there can be no discrimination based on religion and it ensures religious freedom, the freedom of worship of all religious followers, the freedom of those in charge of the places of worship, and the freedom to establish places of worship. We will ensure this harmony, this freedom, and we have spoken about it.
“All citizens of Bangladesh, whether Buddhist, Christian or ethnic minorities, will maintain and observe their own religious practices, religious ceremonies, religious freedom, both religiously and culturally.”
Calling for a change in terminology, the home minister said: “We usually use the word ‘communal harmony’. But I think the word ‘communal’ is no longer necessary.
“From today, we have to say – we will maintain religious and social harmony, coexistence and peace. This positive practice will make the society more beautiful.”
The Janmashtami procession started from the Palashi intersection and ended at Bahadur Park.
