Despite the differences in religion, caste and opinion, all people of Bangladesh are members of the same family, said the chief adviser of the interim goverment, Professor Muhammad Yunus.
He said this while opening a meeting with leaders of various religions including Hindus, buddhists, Christians and Muslims at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital on Thursday (December 5) afternoon.
Recalling a speech given at the airport before the formation of the interim government. Yunus said, “Then I said we are a family. We will have different beliefs, different religions, different customs. But we are all members of the same family. I insisted on it. Despite our hundred differences, we are not enemies of each other. LetS come to one place on the question of our nationality, identity. We are Bangladeshis, members of one family.”
The chief adviser said, “After taking the oath, I started hearing that minorities are being tortured. Then the mind became bad. After that I went to Dhakeshwari temple.I also said there, we are members of the same family.
He said, “Even if all the demands are left out, one demand is clear that we all have equal rights, the right to speak, the right to religion, the right to work.” It comes from the constitution. As a citizen,it is the duty of the state to ensure that.”
Highlighting the government’s initiative on security for Durga Puja, the chief adviser said, “It has become a national festival. Then I got satisfaction, I worked a little.”
Urging everyone to be alert and cautious about wrong facts, he said, “now again, attacks are happening, torture is starting.” Foreign media will not say it is being broadcast in the media, it is happening. I’m looking, what’s going on? Everywhere I saw it was not happening. One news is saying, another news is not saying, there is a difference between the information. It’s not right. it has to end.”
“The information we are getting might potentially be wrong,” said the chief adviser. There is nothing to sit on information about. It means sitting like a blind man. You have to go inside and see. find out why the information is wrong? What they are saying is false propaganda? No what we are saying is false propaganda. Where is the truth?
He said, “There is no difference in our goals. let us know how to get the correct information there. real information, many times it is not useful to rely on official information. The boss says what he wants. I don’t want to tell the truth. We want to know the real news. I want to establish that process. Anything can happen in such a big contry. But I want to know the real facts. Get immediate information so that it can be resolved. From which side the guilty are guilty. It is the government’s responsibility to bring him to justice.
Dr. Yunus said, “The first thing is to create an environment of non-existence. And if it happens, take immediate remedial action. Most of the people of the country think what I am saying. We can fulfill our responsibilities as a family. Information and remedies are the big thing there.”
The chief adviser said, “We want to build such a Bangladesh, which we have named as new Bangladesh. We have to do it. It is indeed not that I said goodbye like today, satisfied with your words. It must be done quickly. We must not look to the future, we must act now.”
Chief Adviser seeks advice from religious leaders on how to gather unbiased, truthful information on minority issues. “You have to be sure how to collect it safely, not to embarrass the person giving the information,” he said.
The meeting started at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital around 4 pm. Leaders of various religions spoke.
Earlier on Wednesday at the same venue, BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, Nagrik Oikya, Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh, Mass solidarity Movement, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), Bangladesh Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Bangladesh Jasad), National People’s Party (NPP), Communist Party of Bangladesh, National democratic Movement (NDM), Bangladesh Jatiya party (BJP), Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis and Bangladesh Khilafat Movement, My Bangladesh party (AB Party), People’s Rights Professor Yunus held a meeting with the leaders of various political parties including the Parishad (GOP).
Earlier on Tuesday, the Chief Adviser held a meeting with the leaders of the anti-discrimination student movement at the Rashtriya Guest House Yamuna. This series of meetings is being held to build national unity and maintain communal harmony, regardless of religion, party, against propaganda and incitement in the Indian media.
How does Professor Yunus propose to promote interfaith dialog and understanding among diverse communities in Bangladesh?
Interview between time.news Editor and Professor Muhammad Yunus
Editor: Good afternoon, Professor Yunus. Thank you for joining us today. Your recent remarks about the unity of the Bangladeshi people, despite their diverse backgrounds, have sparked much interest. Can you elaborate on why you believe this sense of family is so crucial for Bangladesh right now?
Professor Yunus: Good afternoon, and thank you for having me.The essence of my message is rooted in the belief that regardless of our differences in religion, caste, or opinion, we are all members of the same Bangladeshi family. In times of strife or division, emphasizing this connection helps foster understanding and cooperation. when I speak of family, I mean that we must come together, unite under our shared identity as Bangladeshis, and address the challenges we face collectively.
Editor: That’s a powerful message.You mentioned your visits to various religious sites, including the Dhakeshwari temple, to reinforce this idea of unity. How has the response been from the religious communities?
Professor Yunus: The response has been overwhelmingly supportive. When I visited the temple, I reiterated that we are all part of the same family. The leaders and members of different religious communities welcomed this viewpoint. It is essential to acknowledge our different beliefs while promoting the common values that bind us together—such as respect and equality.
Editor: You also touched upon the issue of minority rights in your speech.What actions do you believe are necessary to ensure that all citizens, regardless of their background, have their rights protected?
Professor Yunus: It is vital that we adhere to our constitutional mandates, which guarantee equal rights for all citizens. We must ensure there is no discrimination and that everyone has the right to express themselves, practice their religion, and work freely. This responsibility lies not just with the government but with every citizen of Bangladesh. Together, we must advocate for a culture of respect and inclusion.
Editor: In your experience, what steps can be taken to foster dialogue and healing among different communities in a diverse nation like Bangladesh?
Professor Yunus: Dialogue is key.We need forums where people from different backgrounds can come together to share their experiences and concerns. Educational programs that encourage interfaith discussions can also help bridge the gaps between communities. Building empathy and understanding will move us towards a more harmonious society.
Editor: lastly, what are your hopes for Bangladesh’s future, especially in terms of social unity and human rights?
professor Yunus: My hope is that we can cultivate a society where every individual feels valued and heard—where differences are celebrated, not merely tolerated. If we can strengthen our sense of belonging as one family,I believe we can overcome obstacles and make important strides toward a more inclusive and equitable future for all bangladeshis.
Editor: Thank you,Professor yunus,for sharing your insights with us today. Your vision for a united Bangladesh is inspiring, and we look forward to seeing how these discussions evolve.
Professor Yunus: Thank you for having me. Together, we can make a difference.