Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said her government had taken steps immediately after the killings of bloggers.
"Immediately we arrested the killers and brought them to book. We are taking care of this as we won't allow any kind of terrorist activities to take place in this country," she said in an interview with the BBC.
BBC's Mishal Husain, while taking the prime minister's interview, asked her if her government had any problem with the radical Islamists referring to three shocking murders of secular bloggers in public places.
In replying to the question the premier said Bangladesh is a secular country where people of every religion can practise their own religion peacefully.
When asked about the ethos of the country as the Founding Father of Bangladesh inserted secularism into the constitution and if Bangladesh is a secular country she said there is a religious harmony. “We have ensured it.”
As she was asked about her reaction to the widespread talks after her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi commended her for her zero tolerance towards terrorism during his recent visit with a mention “despite being a woman” Sheikh Hasina with a smile said: “I think he has appreciated it; I consider it like this.”
“May be he wanted to refer to the courage I have shown many men could not, but I have done it and taken steps against terrorists,” Hasina said.
In the exclusive interview with the BBC's Mishal Husain, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also talked about MDGs, child marriages, secularism, and how she feels being a woman fighting terrorism.
When asked about the achievement of Bangladesh in 15 years of the MDGs as the end of the millennium development goal is being marked Hasina said: “When I formed the government we immediately implemented it. We have done a lot; Bangladesh has made tremendous progress.”
About the highest rate of child marriage in the world, an obvious barrier to a girl completing a secondary education, Shiekh Hasina reasoned some social obligations behind this.
She said: “When a girl gets proper education and monetary freedom, automatically it will come down; only passing law or forcing people can't stop it; you have to give them opportunity; you have to create the opportunity and create the atmosphere so that parents should think that girls' marriage is not the only and ultimate goal.”
Replying to a query about 47 million people living in poverty, women being the missing link, their opportunity and enrollment into workforce, and completion of education she said in secondary level there are some dropouts but now steps have been taken.
Hasina, for example, mentioned that the government had provided separate toilets and restrooms for girls and said parents being encouraged are sending their children to schools.
“We distribute free books for everybody and now parents don't need to spend a single penny for their books; we have taken the responsibility. We say that we have taken the responsibility and you should send your children to school; we would take care of them.”
