Speaking to journalists during a visit to the Durga Puja mandap at JM Sen Hall in the city’s Kotwali area, Helal described the prime minister’s visit as a significant step towards fulfilling his pledge to build a “rainbow nation” and establish a discrimination-free society in Bangladesh.
He said Tarique’s visit would be the first by a serving head of government to Chattogram on the occasion of Durga Puja.
The state minister recalled that the late Khaleda Zia, former prime minister and BNP chairperson, had previously visited Chattogram during Janmashtami. Tarique’s visit would mark a new milestone in the city’s history of religious celebrations, he added.
“We are all extremely enthusiastic and proud about this,” Helal said.
He said the prime minister had pledged before the election to build a society where people of all religions and communities would enjoy equal rights and dignity, regardless of their religious or ethnic identities.
“Now he is demonstrating through his actions how to translate that commitment into reality,” the state minister said.
Helal expressed hope that the visit would strengthen interfaith understanding, deepen public confidence and reinforce the principle that equal rights and dignity must be guaranteed to every citizen.
He said the initiative reflected the government’s commitment to building a Bangladesh where religious identity would not determine a person’s rights, status or opportunities.
