BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman has extended his greetings to the Hindu community for Durga Puja and Bijoya Dashami.
“On behalf of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the party of the democracy-loving people of Bangladesh, I extend greetings for the Sharadiya Durga Puja,” he said. “On the occasion of Sharadiya Durga Puja and Bijoya Dashami, I extend my heartfelt greetings and congratulations to all members of the Hindu community.”
He went on to wish for their happiness, peace, and well-being, and prayed for the complete success of this year’s Sharadiya Durga festival.
Tarique Rahman extended these greetings in a statement on Wednesday.
Addressing the Hindu community, Tarique Rahman said, “May you celebrate the festival with enthusiasm and excitement, safely and securely across the country, and spread the message of amity and harmony. BNP believes that, while religion is personal to the individual, the state belongs to us all, as does the right to security.
The formal beginning of this year’s Durga festival started with Mahalaya on 21 September. The festival will conclude on Thursday with the immersion of Goddess Durga.
In his statement, the BNP acting chairman went on to say, “As a Bangladeshi, I believe that it is through festivals that the mutual friendship, harmony, amity, and fraternity among our various religions, tribes, and communities are manifested. Our state and constitution guarantee security for every person, irrespective of party, opinion, religion, or race, be they believers, non-believers, or skeptics. Ensuring the security of every citizen of Bangladesh is the responsibility of the state.”
In the statement, he said, “As a citizen of a fascist-free Bangladesh, it is natural to play an appropriate role in protecting the security and honour of fellow citizens and to fulfill moral responsibilities,” calling upon the country’s law enforcement agencies to remain vigilant and ensure that no one can create any situation that disrupts communal harmony or security around the Sharadiya festival, as was seen during “the era of fascist rule”.
Greetings from BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam
In a separate statement, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also extended Bijoya Dashami greetings to the Hindu community. In his statement, he said, “Sharadiya Durga Puja and Bijoya Dashami are the biggest religious and social festivals of the Hindu community. On this occasion, I extend my sincere greetings and heartfelt congratulations to all members of the Hindu faith. I wish for their continued happiness, peace, and well-being.”
He added, “During the tenure of the ousted Awami League government, various unpleasant staged incidents occurred repeatedly for political gains, including communal incitement, attacks on, and vandalism of places of worship of various religious communities. Even after their fall, their lurking followers are still active.
“However, the people of the country are unitedly guarding the puja pavilions to thwart the conspiracies of evil circles, so that Sharadiya Durga Puja can be completed smoothly amidst peace and coexistence. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party-BNP is committed to resisting them.”
