Prime Minister’s Political Adviser HT Imam on Saturday said the present government has been making constant stride to create a congenial atmosphere in the country so that people of every religion can live and prosper together in Bangladesh.
“Everyone will live and prosper together in Bangladesh as ‘religious togetherness’ is the spirit of our state and the ideology of Bangabandhu, where observation of religious rituals is considered as a personal affair. But, religious festivity is open for everybody to share,” he said. HT Imam said this while addressing a function as the chief guest at Dhaka Ramakrishna Mission (RKM) on the occasion of unveiling Vivekananda Sculpture on the premises of newly constructed Vivekananda Bhaban and the foundation laying ceremony of students’ dormitory.
“Bangabandhu always had told that secularism is not atheism and tried to free the nation form fanaticism. If we can defeat the religious conflict, we will be able to build a developed nation with the participation of the people from all strata, making the whole nation benefited,” he said. General Secretary of Ramakrishna Math and Mission, Belur Math of India, Swami Suvirananda unveiled the sculpture while Justice Soumendra Sarker, Asim Kumar Ukil, MP, and Acting Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Dr Adarsh Swaika attended the function as special guests.
Assistant General Secretary of RKM Belur Math Swami Tattwavidanda, Swami Jyotirupananda of Moscow, Russia, and General secretary of RKM Dhaka Swami Drubeshananda, among others, spoke.
Pointing out the present government’s support to all religious minorities, HT Imam said: “Our love for you is not a ‘showy’ matter, but it’s derived from very core of our heart. We believe heart and soul that everybody we are Bangalee and we will build the nation without any discrimination”. The PM’s Adviser thanked the Indian government for giving financial and other supports to Ramakrishna Mission for construction of ‘Vivekananda Bhaban’, saying Bangladesh and India are working complementarily with each other.
“People of both the countries are enjoying the benefits of the mutual cooperation and understanding,” he said.
Praising the social activities of Ramakrishna Mission, he said all people irrespective their religious identity should have participation with all ventures taken for public welfare.
“All of us should follow the motto of the Ramakrishna Mission to serve the mankind.”
Recalling his childhood memories, HT Imam said thoughts, basic spirit and religious ideology of Vivekananda were one of the widely discussed issues of the subcontinent during the British era.
The messages of Swami Vivekananda are not only applicable for the Hindus, but also for every human being, he said.
