DHAKA, Dec 22, 2014 (BSS)- Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
today said the people of all faiths of the country are celebrating their
respective festivals in a joyous and festive mood as a peaceful
environment now exists in Bangladesh."And maintaining this peaceful atmosphere has been possible as we have contained all terrorist activities in every field with an iron hand after the January 5 polls," she said.
The Prime Minister said this while exchanging greetings with members of the Christian community on the occasion of the Christmas Day at her official Ganobhaban residence here this evening.
Minister for Religious Affairs Principal Matiur Rahman, Bangladesh Christian Association (BCA) President and State Minister for Social Welfare Advocate Promod Mankin, country's top religious leader of the Christian community Arch Bishop Patrick D' Rozario, former advisor of the caretaker government Tapan Chowdhury and BCA Secretary General Nirmal Rozario also spoke on the occasion.
Referring to the terrorist acts of BNP-Jamaat before the January 5 polls, Sheikh Hasina said the whole country had gone through a panicky environment at that time due to terrorist acts of BNP-Jamaat nexus.
"After failing to get response to their movement, they unleashed all sorts of terrorist activities like burning people to death, torching vehicles and mosques and burning Holy Quran to foil the January 5 polls," she said.
In this connection, the Prime Minister recalled that the country's Christian community had to celebrate X-Mas Day at that time in a panicky situation.
"But after the January 5 polls, we restored peace in the country by curbing all types of terrorist acts in every field with an iron hand," she said.
Blasting the BNP-Jamaat for establishing reign of terror in the country during their five-year rule, Sheikh Hasina said the people of all religions had to become victims of brutal torture and repression at that time.
"The torture and repression that were resorted on them were unnarratable," she said, adding bomb was blasted in a church in Gopalganj and 200 Christian families of a Pabna village had become the victims of heinous torture.
"Attacks were made at that time on all types of religious places like mosque, temple, pagoda and church," she said.
The Prime Minister said Bangladesh earned independence under the leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. "Bangabandhu used to believe in non-communal spirit and used to say repeatedly equal rights of all religions."
She said but it is unfortunate that the after the assassination of Bangabandhu, the military ruler took the country far away from the non-communal spirit. As a result, she said, attacks and torture were made on the people of all faiths.
Sheikh Hasina said her government after assuming office in 2009 restored non-communal spirit in the society where people of all religions could enjoy equal rights and religious freedom.
Terming "religion is for individual and states for all", the Prime Minister said her government ensured equal rights of all faiths to celebrate various national day programmes including Pohela Baishakh, Independence Day, Victory Day, Eid, Puja, Buddha Purnima, X- Mas Day.
She mentioned that the main spirit of all religions is humanity and Jesus had left all things for welfare of the humanity. She said her government wants people of all religion living in harmony. Sheikh Hasina urged all to work together in building a dignified, peaceful and prosperous Bangladesh.
Spelling out her government's efforts for developing the country, Sheikh Hasina said her government has achieved tremendous successes in education, health, ICT, power and energy sectors as well as in poverty reduction.
"Our aim is to ensure welfare of the people and serve them," she said.
The Prime Minister expressed her optimism that the victorious Bangalee nation would certainly stand before the world community keeping its head high with dignity and honour.
Sheikh Hasina in her speech greeted members of the Christian community across the country on the occasion of the X-Mas Day and wished them happy and prosperous life.
Later, the Prime Minister cut an X-Mas Day cake in the presence of members of the Christian community.
At the outset of the function, a special prayer was held seeking blessings of the Lord Jesus for peace, progress and prosperity of the nation.
BCA President Advocate Promod Mankin and Secretary General Nirmal Rozario presented an X-Mas card and bouquet to Sheikh Hasina.
Christmas Tree was decorated at Ganobhaban, while songs highlighting the significance of the Christmas Day and praising Jesus and patriotic songs were preformed on the occasion.
