President’s Message: No One Should Face Discrimination or Insecurity Because of Their Religious Identity

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said the state and society share a responsibility to ensure that no one is subjected to discrimination, deprivation or insecurity because of their religion, ethnicity or communal identity. He made the remarks in a message marking the 2026 Sharadiya Durga Puja festival.

In his message, the President extended his warm greetings and congratulations to all Hindu people of Bangladesh, both at home and abroad, on the occasion of Durga Puja. He called on all concerned to ensure that members of the Hindu community, along with people from all other religious communities, can observe their religious rituals and festivals freely, confidently and without fear in a safe and joyful environment.

Highlighting the significance of Durga Puja, the President said the festival conveys the triumph of good over evil and celebrates the victory of truth, beauty and well-being. It represents the timeless call for justice and humanity in the face of injustice, falsehood and inhumanity.

According to the President, Durga Puja is deeply rooted in the social fabric, culture and traditions of Bengal. The festival brings people from different sections of society together in a spirit of harmony, while fostering mutual empathy, solidarity and a sense of brotherhood. He expressed the hope that bonds of communal harmony would be further strengthened among people, regardless of religion or ethnicity.

In his message, the President said the current democratic government was committed to ensuring religious freedom and equal rights for every citizen. He noted that the government was providing assistance for the management, renovation and development of religious institutions and places of worship belonging to followers of the Sanatan faith, as it does for other religious communities.

He also referred to initiatives to provide monthly honorariums to Hindu priests, strengthen the activities of the Hindu Religious Welfare Trust, and take more effective measures concerning religious welfare grants and their management.

Emphasising that every religion teaches truth, justice, restraint and service to humanity, the President called on everyone to dedicate themselves to the welfare of humankind. He also stressed the importance of sharing the joy of Durga Puja with disadvantaged, vulnerable and underprivileged people in society.

Expressing the hope that the messages of humanity, justice and well-being would reach every household, regardless of differences, the President wished success to all programmes being organised in Bangladesh and overseas to celebrate Sharadiya Durga Puja.