Delivering a stirring message of national unity amidst the vibrant celebrations of Durga Puja, President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir reaffirmed that every Bangladeshi possesses equal constitutional rights regardless of their faith, declaring that while religious practice remains deeply personal, the state belongs equally to all its citizens.
Speaking during a high-profile visit to the capital’s historic Dhakeshwari Temple on Saturday afternoon, the president expanded on a popular cultural motto to outline his vision for the nation’s democratic future.
Addressing assembled devotees, community leaders, and dignitaries, he declared that to the familiar phrase “Religion is individual, festivals are for all”, the nation must add a crucial principle: “Religion is individual, the state belongs to all.”
The president described Bangladesh as an exceptional beacon of pluralism, highlighting how centuries of peaceful coexistence among diverse faith communities have enriched the region’s literature, arts, and cultural fabric.
He paid homage to the founding spirit of the republic, recalling how people of all faiths stood shoulder to shoulder during the 1971 Liberation War to forge a non-communal nation, adding that Bangladeshis remain committed to that original vision and are prepared to pay any price to protect it.
Describing the populace as fundamentally moderate, peace-loving, and resistant to extremism, he urged citizens to preserve this cherished tradition.
Addressing recent narrative shifts, President Alamgir lamented persistent attempts by certain quarters to undermine communal harmony, as well as sensationalised claims published at home and abroad suggesting that religious tolerance in Bangladesh is eroding. He emphasised that the peaceful and dignified celebration of Durga Puja across the country serves as the most powerful refutation of such claims.
However, he issued a stern warning against those seeking to create divisions for selfish ends, urging the public to remain vigilant as the nation navigates a delicate political transition away from a deeply undemocratic past towards building a true democracy.
Upon arriving at the temple premises, the president toured the main puja mandap and watched a cultural performance before extending his warmest seasonal greetings to the Hindu community for a happy and peaceful Sharadiya Durga Puja.
He assured minority communities of complete government cooperation in addressing their concerns, a sentiment echoed by Bijon Kanti Sarkar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Minority Affairs, and senior leaders from the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad and the Mahanagar Sarbajanin Puja Committee who attended the gathering.
