Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said efforts to undermine Bangladesh’s interfaith harmony have not yet ended. Speaking as chief guest at the inauguration of the Jagannath Dev Rath Yatra festival in Dhaka’s Swamibagh on Thursday, he emphasized that the government aims to build a developed Bangladesh through participation of all communities, not through divisive politics based on religion.

He stated that the government, following the ideals of late President Ziaur Rahman and Begum Khaleda Zia, is ensuring equal rights and development for all faiths under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Fakhrul highlighted initiatives such as family and farmer cards and allowances for religious leaders of mosques, temples, monasteries, and churches as steps toward strengthening harmony. He added that Bangladesh belongs to people of all faiths and that no one should gain special privilege in the name of religion.

During his speech, Fakhrul became unwell due to the heat and was later taken home for rest under medical advice, according to BNP’s media cell.