Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has stated that during the Great Liberation War, the movement to restore democracy, and the 2024 mass uprising, the people of the country fought shoulder to shoulder, regardless of religion or caste.

Similarly, in the coming days, everyone must work together in unity, rising above religious identities, to build the nation.

He made these remarks while addressing members of the Hindu community on Sunday night (October 18) at an event organized for Sharadiya Durga Puja at the Mahakhali and Gulshan-Banani Puja Mandaps in the capital.

Tarique Rahman said, "In 1971, we fought to free this country. On the battlefield, we did not look at who belonged to which religion. Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians—everyone who loved this country came together to make it free."

Noting that the people of the country have always stood as a shield in the streets during times of crisis to protect the nation, he added that whenever democracy came under threat after independence, people took to the streets to establish their right to vote and freedom of speech.

Religious identity was never a barrier in those movements either.

Referring to the 2024 mass uprising, the Prime Minister said, "On that day as well, men and women across all political views, classes, and professions took to the streets. We did not see who belonged to which religion. Everyone joined shoulder to shoulder to make the mass uprising a success."

Calling on everyone to unite in the effort to build the nation, Tarique Rahman said, "Just as we did not look at religion or caste to liberate the country or establish democracy, we will not look at religion in the struggle to build the country in the days ahead. We will only see who is a citizen of this nation."

The head of government remarked, "Our biggest identity is that we are all people of Bangladesh. You have the same rights over this country as I do. To establish those rights, people of every religion and profession must build the country together, side by side."

He further stated, "A thousand-year-old history and tradition show that people of all religions have lived peacefully in this country. It should be everyone's expectation that people of all faiths can continue to live together peacefully for the next thousand years."

Earlier in the evening, the Prime Minister visited the Mahakhali Rakshakali Temple Puja Mandap, where he exchanged greetings with leaders of the Puja Celebration Committee and members of the Hindu community.

Later, he visited the Banani Puja Mandap and exchanged greetings with the worshippers and visitors present.

The Prime Minister's wife, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, and the Administrator of Dhaka North City Corporation, Shafiqul Islam Milton, were present on the occasion.