President, PM urge harmony in Puja greetings

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman called on Friday for communal harmony, equal rights and security for every citizen as they extended Durga Puja greetings to Hindu communities in Bangladesh and around the world.

In separate messages issued on October 16, both leaders stressed that everyone should be able to observe religious traditions freely, safely and with dignity. Prime Minister Rahman reiterated the principle that religion is a personal matter while the state belongs to all, pledging to build a safe, humane and inclusive Bangladesh irrespective of religious or political differences. He described Durga Puja as a symbol of the triumph of good over evil that reinforces the values of truth, justice and compassion. Moreover, he observed that religious festivals draw communities together, thereby strengthening friendship, mutual respect and social cohesion, and he urged citizens to honour one another’s beliefs and rights in the interest of peaceful coexistence.

Alluding to the country’s political transition and reconstruction, the prime minister insisted that neither religious identity nor political differences should impede citizens’ rights and security. He expressed the hope that Hindu communities nationwide would celebrate the festival without fear. Meanwhile, President Alamgir characterised Durga Puja as both a religious occasion and an integral component of Bangladesh’s cultural heritage. He called for equal rights and religious freedom for all communities, urging the authorities and society at large to prevent discrimination, deprivation and insecurity rooted in religious or communal identity.

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Furthermore, the president underscored the need to bolster support for Hindu religious institutions and welfare initiatives, including assistance for temple management and development. Ultimately, both leaders voiced the hope that the festival would deepen bonds of harmony, mutual respect and brotherhood across the country.