Prime Minister Tarique Rahman stressed the importance of keeping education, research, arts, and literature free from political influence in a civilized society. Speaking at the Ekushey Padak 2026 award ceremony at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium, he expressed his belief that politicizing these areas does not align with the values of a civilized society.
Rahman highlighted the government’s commitment to establishing a liberal democratic state with strong moral principles to drive progress across various fields of knowledge, such as education, literature, arts, science, and technology. He emphasized the significance of seeking guidance from the country’s wise and knowledgeable citizens on this journey.
While acknowledging that politicians hold the responsibility of governing the state, Rahman pointed out that wise and distinguished citizens play a crucial role as guiding figures in society. He emphasized that a society flourishes with a greater number of accomplished individuals, leading to enhanced prosperity and moral standards.
The Prime Minister underscored that honoring distinguished citizens is not just a formality but a reflection of the state honoring itself. He referenced the history of the Ekushey Padak, initiated by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, the architect of Bangladesh’s independence, to honor individuals who have significantly contributed to education, literature, arts, and research.
Rahman described the Ekushey Padak as a symbol that commemorates historic events from the 1952 Language Movement to the present day while also recognizing the invaluable contributions of outstanding individuals to the state and society.