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DHAKA: The peaceful celebration of Durga Puja by members of the Sanatan faith in Bangladesh, amid conflicts, violence and hatred across the world, is a shining example of communal harmony and peaceful coexistence, President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said.
The president made the remarks in a post on his verified Facebook page on Monday afternoon.
“At a time when conflicts, violence and hatred are prevailing across the world, members of the Sanatan faith in Bangladesh are able to celebrate their religious festival, Durga Puja, in a peaceful environment. This is a shining example of our communal harmony and mutual coexistence,” he said.
Earlier, on Sunday, the president visited Ramna Kali Temple in the capital on the occasion of Sharadiya Durga Puja 2026.
Speaking there, he said, “We can say with great conviction and in a firm voice that I do not know of anywhere else in the world where communal harmony exists as it does in Bangladesh.”
Extending his greetings to the Hindu community on Durga Puja, the president said the festival was one of the principal religious celebrations of the Sanatan faith and conveyed the values of justice, peace, harmony and human welfare.
“Demons have emerged repeatedly in this country, and the people of Bangladesh have defeated them,” he said.
Recounting the history of Ramna Kali Temple, the president said attempts were made to destroy it in 1971, and it was eventually demolished in 1973. According to him, the temple was restored in 2001 through the initiative of Babu Goyeshwar Chandra Roy and on the instructions of former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Efforts have since been made to restore its former heritage, he added.
The president paid tribute to former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, recalling her contribution to the temple’s restoration.
Calling for unity to preserve communal harmony, he said Bangladesh’s record of religious coexistence was often misrepresented and subjected to propaganda.
He assured members of the Sanatan faith that the current government would work sincerely to address their existing problems. He also wished the Durga Puja celebrations every success and thanked those who took part in the cultural performances at the event.
Among those present were Bijon Kanti Sarkar, the prime minister’s special assistant for Hindu, Buddhist, Christian and ethnic minority affairs with the rank of state minister; Ramna Temple President Arpana Roy Das; and General Secretary Milton Baidya.
During the programme, Subhash Chandra Das, a member of the Ramna Temple committee, presented the president with a traditional uttariya scarf.
