Religion Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaykobad on Monday said the BNP would not exploit the spirit of the Liberation War or the July 2024 mass uprising for political gain, accusing other parties of turning the two movements into political commodities.

"The Awami League conducted political business using the spirit of the Liberation War. Now another party is doing the same with the July mass uprising," he said.

"We do not want to exploit either movement for political interests. We want to ensure proper respect and dignity for everyone, from freedom fighters to those involved in the July movement."

Kaykobad made the remarks at a programme distributing financial assistance to freedom fighters and financially disadvantaged Hindus at the Muradnagar Upazila Freedom Fighters Complex in Cumilla.

He did not identify the party he accused of exploiting the July uprising.

The minister said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had instructed the government to honour those who contributed to both the Liberation War and the July uprising.

He also recalled the role of BNP founder and former president Ziaur Rahman in the Liberation War.

Turning to communal harmony, Kaykobad said protecting the lives, property and dignity of religious minorities was a responsibility for everyone.

He thanked members of the Hindu community for supporting him in the last election and organising human chains demanding his release when he was serving a life sentence.

"We must all live together in harmony," he said.

The minister also warned that educational institutions in Muradnagar could face recommendations for suspension of government salary subsidies if their examination results remained poor for two or three consecutive years.

"Teachers cannot continue receiving government benefits while their students consistently perform poorly," he said.

Kaykobad said he was disappointed by recent examination results in Muradnagar and urged teachers to improve educational standards.

He also praised several government initiatives, including farmer cards, family cards, allowances for religious leaders and the revival of Ziaur Rahman's canal excavation programme.

He asked people to pray for the prime minister.

At the programme, Kaykobad distributed 500,000 taka to freedom fighters and another 500,000 taka to financially disadvantaged Hindus from his personal welfare fund.

He also awarded cash prizes of 10,000 taka, 7,000 taka and 5,000 taka to educational institutions participating in a campaign that planted more than 100,000 trees across Muradnagar.

Earlier, he attended the second anniversary of Protibha School for children with special needs, donating 100,000 taka and pledging further assistance.

Kaykobad said he had travelled to Muradnagar despite undergoing hip replacement and eye surgeries, against medical advice.

Thanking residents for electing him to parliament six times, he pledged to continue working for the constituency.

He claimed that development projects undertaken on the prime minister's instructions could meet Muradnagar's infrastructure needs for the next five years.

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