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Nitai Roy said the new administration is firmly committed to ensuring the safety and equal rights of all minorities in Bangladesh. He emphasized that fundamentalism will not be allowed to take root and that the government will uphold the constitutional principle of equality for all citizens.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman
New Delhi: After a landslide victory in Bangladesh’s recent general elections, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led by Tariq Rahman has formed the new government. Rahman was sworn in as Prime Minister last Tuesday. Among the 50 ministers who took oath was Nitai Roy Chowdhury, the only Hindu member of the cabinet and vice-president of the party’s Central Committee.
Commitment to Minority Safety
Nitai Roy said the new administration is firmly committed to ensuring the safety and equal rights of all minorities in Bangladesh. He emphasized that fundamentalism will not be allowed to take root and that the government will uphold the constitutional principle of equality for all citizens.
Roy, who won from the Magura-2 constituency, stated that minorities-especially Hindus-are an integral part of Bangladesh. He said the Prime Minister and other BNP leaders had met Hindu voters before the elections and assured them of security and equal rights. According to him, this outreach led to significant support for the BNP from minority communities.
Criticism of the Previous Government
Roy strongly criticized the previous government led by Sheikh Hasina, accusing it of weakening national institutions. He claimed that when Hasina fled the country in 2024, Bangladesh was left in a state of disorder.
He alleged that the education system suffered the most under the earlier regime, claiming that policies ensured high pass percentages regardless of merit to artificially boost literacy statistics. He also accused the former government of sidelining traditional cultural values.
Despite these criticisms, Roy said the BNP does not wish to dwell on the past but instead aims to rebuild the nation with “new hopes and dreams.”
Restoring Institutions and Unity
According to Roy, the new government’s priority is to restore key institutions and rebuild what he described as damaged pillars of governance. He stressed the importance of “unity in diversity,” saying this principle must guide the country’s future development.
He reiterated that minorities are not merely a vote bank but equal stakeholders in the nation’s progress.
Strengthening Relations with India
On foreign policy, Roy highlighted the importance of maintaining strong and respectful relations with neighboring countries, particularly India. He said the new government aims to build ties based on mutual respect, shared interests, and cooperation, especially in matters concerning internal security.
As Culture Minister, Roy added that Bangladesh shares deep cultural ties with many countries, including India, and intends to strengthen these connections. He emphasized preserving Bengali cultural heritage while firmly countering extremism.
“We will work together for a better Bangladesh,” Roy concluded, expressing optimism about the country’s future under the new leadership.
