Religion is Personal, Right to Security Belongs to Everyone: Tarique

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, on Friday, emphasized that while religion is a personal matter, the right to security is universal and must be guaranteed for all. He made this statement during a virtual meeting via Zoom with members of the Hindu community.

In his address, Tarique criticized the ruling Awami League government, accusing it of failing to hold any credible trials or investigations into communal violence over the past 15 years. According to him, the government has exploited communal incidents for political gain.

“There hasn’t been a trial or a credible investigation into any communal incident in the past 15 years. The fascist Awami League government has used these incidents to further its narrow political agenda,” he remarked.

Tarique also called for the formation of a civic investigation commission comprising representatives from civil society, political parties, and religious communities. This commission, he proposed, should uncover the true causes behind communal violence and ensure justice is served.

“Has there been any trial in the last 15 years? Has there even been a credible investigation, let alone a trial?” he questioned.

The event was organized by the BNP at the party’s Gulshan office to mark Janmashtami, a significant festival for the Hindu community.

Tarique cited examples of communal violence, including the 2012 Ramu Buddhist temple attacks and the 2016 Nasirnagar attacks, and questioned why no meaningful investigations or trials had been conducted. He accused the Awami League government of fabricating communal issues to divert attention from its own misgovernance and exploitation.

“The government continues to create communal issues to distract the public from its misrule,” he said.

He argued that if impartial investigations were conducted into attacks on minorities and religious establishments, it would reveal that none of these incidents occurred due to genuine religious reasons. Rather, they were politically motivated, orchestrated by vested interests to serve the narrow agendas of the ruling party.

Tarique extended his heartfelt greetings to the Hindu community on the occasion of Janmashtami, celebrated on August 26, commemorating the birth of Lord Sri Krishna.