No religion or race-based conspiracy will succeed in Bangladesh: Swapon

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 for political or personal gain.

"If any quarter tries to exploit religious belief and religious 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.

Swapon made the remarks while addressing the biennial conference of the Barishal district unit of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad as the chief guest 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, the minister said any attempt to capture the state in the name of religion or to use followers of any faith for political purposes amounts to communalism and contradicts the true principles of religion.

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

Swapon also said political leaders must 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.

The event was chaired by Manik Lal Mukharjee, president of the Barishal district unit of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad. Among others present were Barishal City Corporation Administrator Advocate Bilkis Akter Jahan Shirin, Barishal Zila Parishad Administrator Akon Quddusur Rahman and former district chapter president of the Puja Udjapan Parishad Rakhal Chandra Dey.