Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir inaugurated the Shri Shri Jagannath Dev's Rath Yatra Festival 2026 at Swamibagh Ashram in Dhaka today. Speaking as the chief guest, the minister called for maintaining communal harmony and unity among people of all faiths.
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Bijan Kanti Sarker and Prime Minister's Principal Secretary A. B. M. Abdus Sattar attended the event as special guests. Addressing the gathering, Mirza Fakhrul criticized attempts to create divisions in Bangladesh's politics through religion, stating that the government does not engage in such politics.
The minister emphasized the government's commitment to the country's development by ensuring the participation of people from all religions and communities, in line with the spirit of Bangladeshi nationalism. He highlighted the ideals of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, and praised Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's efforts to ensure the rights, dignity, and security of people of all faiths.
Mirza Fakhrul asserted that Bangladesh is a country for people of all faiths, not belonging to any particular religion. He stressed the importance of equal participation and representation of all communities as the nation moves forward.
Recalling the spirit of the Liberation War, the minister noted that Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, and Christians fought together for the country's independence in 1971. He warned against a vested quarter's attempts to destroy the tradition of communal harmony and urged all citizens to remain united against such efforts.
