No conspiracy to create division in country to be allowed to succeed: Swapon

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon said on Friday that no direct, indirect, visible or invisible conspiracy to divide the nation on the basis of religion, ethnicity, locality, language, race or gender will be allowed to succeed.

"If anyone seeks to use followers of any religion for political or personal interests, or attempts to grab state machinery through religion, it must be understood that they are acting against the almighty, humanity and the fundamental teachings of religion," he said.

The minister made the remarks while addressing the biennial conference of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad, Barishal district chapter as the chief guest at Barishal District Shilpakala Academy auditorium.

Drawing distinction between politics and religion, Swapon said, "Philosophy, thought and ideology in politics are not religious matters.

Religious philosophy revolves around the Almighty Creator, whereas political thought centres on public welfare and social interests, he added.

No political symbol or electoral mark is divinely ordained, and no political party or leader is a divine being, he noted saying, “People will accept them as long as their serve people for their welfare, otherwise, the people will reject them.”

Highlighting the importance of communal harmony in the society and raising public awareness in this regard, the minister said true religious practice would be meaningful only when believers could identify those who exploit religion for personal gain.

"Whenever any quarter hatch conspiracy to delicately transform religious sentiments into communal divide, pious people must raise their voices and identify those who exploit the religion," he added.

Expressing the government's commitment to ensuring equal rights for all citizens, Swapon said, people in politics who believe in equal rights for everyone see Prime Minister Tarique Rahman as their strongest representative.

"We have not forgotten the lessons of history. If promises made to the people are not fulfilled, history may repeat again," he said.

“That is why Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has clearly said religion belongs to individuals, but the state belongs to everyone,” Swapon said.

The conference was chaired by Barishal District Puja Udjapan Parishad President Manik Mukharjee Kudu.

Barishal City Corporation Administrator Bilkis Akter Jahan Shirin and Zila Parishad Administrator Akon Kuddusur Rahman attended the programme as special guests.

Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad Central General Secretary and journalist Santosh Sharma addressed the function as the main discussant.

Earlier, the chief guest hoisted the national flag with the national anthem. The biennial conference was later inaugurated by releasing balloons and pigeons.

At the beginning of the discussion, five valiant freedom fighters were accorded reception.