BNP standing committee member and former minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku -Photo: Collected

KHULNA, Jan 24, 2026 (BSS) - BNP standing committee member and former minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku today said there is no concept of minority or majority in Bangladesh, asserting that the only identity of the country's people is that they are Bangladeshis.

He made the remarks while addressing a prayer and Sanatani rally at Swadhinata Chattar in Dumuria upazila of Khulna this afternoon. The programme was organised to seek eternal peace for the soul of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.

The rally was arranged by the Dumuria upazila unit of the Sanatani Oikya Jote, with Tuku attending as the chief guest.

Tuku said, "This country belongs to everyone, regardless of religion or ethnicity. All are equal citizens of Bangladesh."

Referring to statements by BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, Tuku said the BNP believes Bangladesh is a shared homeland for all -- from hills to plains, villages to cities.

He accused the Awami League of exploiting minority communities as a vote bank by instilling fear over a long period, while abandoning them during times of crisis. Referring to the situation after August 5, Tuku said that the Awami League had attempted to incite communal violence in a planned manner.

"But BNP leaders and activists stayed awake throughout the night to protect temples and the homes of minority communities, foiling that conspiracy," he said, adding that history shows minorities remain safe whenever the BNP is in power.

Highlighting Begum Khaleda Zia's political life, Tuku said she dedicated her life to safeguarding voting rights and democracy, endured imprisonment and repression, but never compromised with autocracy.

"The mass uprising of 2024 has once again proved that people do not accept autocratic rule," he added.

Addressing members of the Matua and Sanatani communities, Tuku assured that if the BNP comes to power and the party's sheaf of paddy candidate is elected, a central temple would be constructed for Matua and Sanatani followers.

"You will live in this country with your heads held high, not by anyone's mercy, but by your rightful citizenship," he said.

BNP Student Affairs Secretary Rakibul Islam Bakul spoke as the main speaker, while BNP National Executive Committee members Jayanta Kumar Kundu and Nipun Roy Chowdhury attended as special guests.

BNP-nominated candidates Nazrul Islam Manju (Khulna-2) and Mohammad Ali Azgar Lobi (Khulna-5) were present as invited guests.

The rally was presided over by noted industrialist and social worker Prafulla Roy. Leaders of the district BNP and its associate bodies, along with a large number of Sanatani men and women, also attended the programme.