No Religion-Based Conspiracy Will Succeed in Bangladesh: Swapon

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon addressed a conference as the chief guest at the Barishal District Shilpakala Academy auditorium today

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon on Friday said no conspiracy based on religion or race would be allowed to succeed in Bangladesh, warning against attempts to exploit religious beliefs and practices for political or other gains.

“If any quarter tries to exploit religious beliefs and practices to bring people under its influence, ordinary people will identify them. No conspiracy based on religion or race will be allowed to succeed in Bangladesh,” he said.

The minister made the remarks as the chief guest at the biennial conference of the Barishal district unit of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad at the Barishal District Shilpakala Academy.

Referring to Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman’s position that religion belongs to individuals while the state belongs to everyone, Swapon said no group should seek to capture the state in the name of religion or use followers of any faith for political purposes.

He said such attempts amounted to communalism and were contrary to the fundamental principles of religion.

“Whenever any group tries to turn religious beliefs and practices into a tool of communal politics, devout people themselves will identify those who exploit religion for personal or political gain,” he said.

The minister also said political leaders should always work for the welfare of the people.

“As long as people believe that a political party’s activities serve their interests, they will continue to support that party and its election symbol,” he said.

Barishal City Corporation Administrator Advocate Bilkis Akter Jahan Shirin, Barishal Zila Parishad Administrator Akon Quddusur Rahman and former president of the district chapter of the Puja Udjapan Parishad Rakhal Chandra Dey, among others, attended the event.

District unit President Manik Lal Mukharjee chaired the conference.