At Bangabhaban Bijoya reception, President says communal harmony must be preserved at any cost
President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said communal harmony must be preserved at any cost. Speaking at a state greetings-exchange ceremony at Bangabhaban marking Durga Puja and Bijoya Dashami 2026, he called on the young generation to be vocal in favour of truth, justice and humanity.
The President said attempts are sometimes made to create division through rumours, propaganda and religious extremism. Society must remain firm and uncompromising against such attempts, and the young generation in particular must speak up for truth, justice and humanity, he said.
He said this country belongs to everyone and must be built by everyone together. No evil force can be allowed to destroy national unity and progress by creating division. He called on all to build a safe, democratic, humane and welfare-oriented Bangladesh on the basis of mutual respect, equality and social justice.
Greeting members of the Hindu community on Bijoya Dashami, the President said he was delighted to be able to welcome the guests to Bangabhaban at the joyous ceremony.
While war, violence and communal conflict rage in many parts of the world, people of all religions here are celebrating their own festivals peacefully — and he described that as the country's greatest achievement. In his words, this harmony is our strength and our existence, and it must be kept intact at any cost.
The President said Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony. For a thousand years, people of all religions have lived together on this land in bonds of mutual respect and brotherhood, and the people of this country are non-communal by nature, he said.
He cited the participation of people of all religions in the great Liberation War, in every democratic struggle and against injustice as the foundation of national unity. The festival's underlying message, he added, is the destruction of evil forces and the victory of truth, beauty and welfare.
He stated clearly that it is unacceptable for any citizen to face discrimination or oppression because of religion, caste or group identity. The President called for the formation of a national committee to ensure equal civic facilities for people of all religions.
Religion is personal, but the state belongs to everyone, he said, and everyone has the right to security and justice. Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Christian — all are citizens of this country, and the constitution gives everyone equal rights, dignity and religious freedom. The government is committed to realising that goal, he added.
The President also said law enforcement agencies and the administration have been instructed to remain on maximum alert so that people of all religions can practise their faith in a safe and joyful environment.
Before the ceremony, as the President arrived at the Durbar Hall, leaders of the Hindu Religious Welfare Trust, the Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Welfare Front, the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad and the Mahanagar Sarbojanin Puja Committee greeted him with flowers. He exchanged greetings with the guests, and his wife Rahat Ara Begum was present.
Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain, State Minister Mohammad Shamim Kaiser, the Prime Minister's special assistant (with the rank of state minister) Bijan Kanti Sarkar and senior officials of the President's Office attended the ceremony.
