Gayeshwar terms religion, state governance as separate

BNP Standing Committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy has said religion is not opposed to the state, but religion and state governance are separate matters, stressing that a state cannot be run by commodifying religion.

He made the remarks on Thursday as the chief guest at a discussion meeting at the Jahanara Imam Auditorium of the National Press Club, marking the 43rd founding anniversary of the Progressive Nationalist Party (PNP).

PNP Chairman Feroz Mohammad Liton presided over the event, while BNP Chairman’s Adviser Zainul Abdin Faruk was the chief speaker.

Faruk Rahman, chairman of the National Labour Party; Prof Maulana Abdul Karim, secretary general of Islami Oikya Jote; Master Abdul Mannan, chairman of the New Democratic Party; and M A Bashar, chairman of BLDP, also spoke.

“Religion is not against the state. But religion is one matter and running the state is another. A state cannot be run through the business of religion,” Gayeshwar said.

He said nationalist consciousness is shaped by a country’s culture, traditions, language, heritage, history of the Liberation War and geographical boundaries.

“Strengthening the hands of any individual or leader alone cannot ensure the country’s sovereignty. The people must be empowered first,” he said, adding that stronger people would be better able to resist conspiracies against the country.

Referring to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Gayeshwar said, “We want Sheikh Hasina to return to the country and face trial.”

He said Bangladesh should maintain good relations with India but should not compromise its national interests.
He also said the country’s economic situation was critical and alleged that money laundering had weakened the banking sector.

On the political front, Gayeshwar said the 20-party alliance had not broken up, but joint programmes were adopted as a strategic approach. He said different political parties had joined common programmes against Sheikh Hasina while maintaining their respective positions.