Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Prof Dr AZM Zahid Hossain spoke at Barwari Temple premises in Birampur, Dinajpur, at a Janmashtami view-sharing meeting. Photo : BSS

RANGPUR, Sept 4, 2026 (BSS) - Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Prof Dr AZM Zahid Hossain MP has said that Bangladesh belongs to everyone and there is no religious difference in this country.

"This country belongs to all people. The current government does not want anyone to be harmed here due to religious or political differences. We ourselves do not believe in any religious division under any circumstances and will not allow anyone to do so," he said. 

He said this in his speech as the chief guest at a view-sharing meeting organized on the occasion of Janmashtami at the Barwari Temple premises in Birampur upazila of Dinajpur on Friday, said PID press release issued here this evening.

The minister said, "We want to assure the Sanaton community people that you will practice your religion, profession and work without any hindrance and fear. We all want to build Bangladesh beautifully, a Bangladesh of religious harmony."
 
No violence, hatred, or any kind of force or oppression will be allowed in this country under any circumstances. 

"The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) believes that this country belongs to everyone, we will all work together for the welfare of Bangladesh and we all want to build Bangladesh as one," he said. 

He said, "Everyone will freely celebrate religious programmes and festivals with their own religious beliefs. No one will create obstacles for anyone. We have been together for hundreds of years, and we will be together in the future as well.

Birampur Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Tanzina Khatun, along with followers of Sanaton religion and local BNP leaders and workers were present at that time.