Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday said his government was making every effort to ensure the rights and security of all citizens, irrespective of their religious identities.

“As a citizen of the country, everyone has their own rights and entitlements. As the head of government, it is my responsibility to ensure those rights,” he said.

The Prime Minister made the remarks during an exchange of views with leaders of the Hindu community from the Dhaka-17 constituency at his office at the Cabinet Division of the Bangladesh Secretariat.

Representatives of eight temples in the constituency met the Prime Minister to invite him to the upcoming Sharadiya Durga Puja.

The Hindu community leaders praised various government initiatives for their welfare since the BNP assumed office. They also thanked the Prime Minister for increasing the Durga Puja holiday and financial assistance.

Referring to their appreciation, Tarique Rahman said the government had taken steps within a short period and was working to address other issues as well.

“This demonstrates our goodwill,” he said.

Recalling the country's democratic movements and the Liberation War, the Prime Minister said his father had participated in the war, in which people from all religious communities, including Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians, fought together.

He also referred to the mass movement of 1990 and the 2024 movement, saying people from different religious and ethnic backgrounds had participated in those struggles.

“When we did not consider religion at critical moments in the nation's history, why should we consider it in other matters? We liberated the country together. We also took part together in the movement to establish democracy,” he said.

Referring to the persecution of leaders and activists from different religious communities during the rule of the fascist Awami League, the Prime Minister said Muslim and Hindu activists of his party had faced similar repression, without any distinction based on religion.

“I personally believe that Almighty Allah has given me an opportunity. From my position, I will try to ensure, to the extent of my capacity, that everyone receives protection—not on the basis of religion, but as a human being,” he said.

Reiterating his commitment to citizens' rights, Tarique Rahman said he was trying to fulfil his responsibilities as head of government by ensuring what every citizen deserved.

He added that he would make his utmost effort, out of a sense of duty and accountability, to ensure the legitimate rights and entitlements of every citizen.

During the meeting, the Hindu community leaders said they had been living peacefully since the national parliamentary election and had not faced any problems.

They said the developments since the BNP-led government took office had repeatedly demonstrated that members of the Hindu community had not made a mistake by voting for the BNP. They also expressed their support for and willingness to cooperate with the government.

Among those present were BNP Executive Committee member Ramesh Dutta; Alok Saha, president of the Gulshan-Banani Sarbojonin Puja Foundation; Jiban Kanai Das, president of the Baridhara DOHS Puja Committee; British Chandra Karmakar; Narayan Chandra Saha; Pradip Chandra Das; Shikha Rani Das; Shyamal Kumar Das; and Rajib Kumar Acharya.

Abdur Rahman Sani, representative of Dhaka-17 MP Tarique Rahman, and Banani Society Treasurer Shafikuzzaman Ratan were also present.