We have one identity, we are all Bangladeshis: Tariq Rahman
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Acting Chairman of BNP Tariq Rahman has warned that the old game of destroying communal harmony in the country will not be allowed to repeat. Tariq Rahman said, 'The minority card has been played a lot. Minority is a sensitive issue, and everyone knows who has repeatedly tried to take political advantage in the fictional trap of torture in the country and abroad. This old game will not be repeated in this country. Let us either bury them and destroy them, or burn them on the pyre.' He said these things while joining a gathering of Trinamool leaders and activists of Chittagong and Barisal divisions on Tuesday as part of a series of nationwide programs. Referring to the fact that the followers of one religion have been traditionally protecting the places of worship of one religion from the hands of conspirators to destroy religious harmony in Bangladesh, the vice chairman of BNP said, "They (the people) have proved time and again that there is no such thing as minority and majority in this country." We all have one and the same identity — we are all Bangladeshis. It should be proved not only in words but also in deeds whenever necessary.' Addressing the Awami League, Tariq Rahman said, 'To hide their own misdeeds and to destabilize the country, they have been trying to take political advantage of this minority-statist's touchy issue as a fiction of torture.' Acting Chairman of BNP said, 'Some of us go to mosques, some to temples or pagodas or churches. Similarly, someone's festival is Eid, someone's Durga Puja or Christmas or Baisakhi Purnima. I don't have the same identity as all of you. On the map of Bangladesh, your address may be in the mountains, some in the plains, some in Hawar and some in a small island, or in the coastal floodplain or next to the Sundarbans. In all cases we have one identity, we are all Bangladeshis.' Commenting that there is no minority or majority in this country, he said, 'Those who will capitalize on the religious beliefs and disciplines of people who will do politics in religious institutions, will question the identity of Bangladesh in the world, who will use the division of religion and caste in the politics of Bangladesh for dishonest purposes, political wisdom in unity in their respective areas. They must be resisted with.' Urging the workers not to be complacent and stand by the people, Tariq Rahman said, 'Victory is still far away. We have been in the opposition for the last 17 years and we are still today. Now is not the time for complacency, just as Trinamool leaders stood by the party during the crisis, in the future if they understand the language of expectations of the people of Bangladesh and gain their trust and love, BNP will be able to present a new Bangladesh to the people of the country.' "The patriotism of martyred President Ziaur Rahman, the sacrifice of Begum Khaleda Zia, and the sacrifice of hundreds of thousands of leaders and workers, the BNP has reached the place of people's confidence and trust, it will not be allowed to be destroyed by the handiwork of some misguided people. The party is uncompromising on this issue. Recently, the party has proved that in Chittagong and Mymensingh, he said. Regarding the reform of the state structure, the top leader of BNP said, 'About two years ago, the BNP and like-minded parties gave a 31-point program with the demand to establish the constitutional structure of the country and the rights of the people. which is still open to correction and refinement. Whoever brings the reform proposal, our reform proposal includes all of them.' (Dhakatimes/03 September/JB/SIS)
