“Religion Is Personal, the State Belongs to All”: President Mirza Fakhrul

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called for the protection of constitutional rights for all citizens, regardless of religious identity, saying, “Religion is personal, but the state belongs to everyone.”

He made the remarks at an exchange of views after visiting Dhakeshwari National Temple in the capital on Saturday, November 17, on the occasion of the Sharadiya Durga Puja festival.

The president referred to the familiar slogan, “Religion is personal, but festivals are for everyone,” and said it should be expanded to include the principle that the state belongs to all citizens. He stressed that these rights are guaranteed by the state and the Constitution and must be protected firmly.

Describing Bangladesh as an outstanding example of communal harmony, Mirza Fakhrul said people of different faiths had lived together in the region for generations. The country’s literature, culture and arts reflect this shared heritage and tradition of harmony, he added.

He urged citizens to remain vigilant against those seeking to undermine communal harmony and exploit divisions for their own benefit.

The president said people in Bangladesh had grown up together since before independence. Recalling the joint struggle for liberation in 1971 and the commitment to building a non-communal Bangladesh, he said the country must remain steadfast in preserving that vision.

He added that Bangladeshis were not an extremist people and called for the continuation of the country’s tradition of tolerance. He also expressed concern that efforts were being made to undermine communal harmony and that claims of deteriorating religious relations in Bangladesh were being widely publicised at home and abroad.

Mirza Fakhrul said people from all communities in Bangladesh had demonstrated that they could practise their respective religions peacefully.

Addressing the country’s political transition, the president said Bangladesh had begun moving from a deeply undemocratic situation towards a democratic state. He urged everyone to advance the process patiently.

Calling for national problems to be resolved through consensus, he said an election had been held and accepted by all. He added that implementation of commitments made by political leaders regarding constitutional changes had begun with the signing of the July National Charter.

The president expressed hope that Durga Puja would be celebrated peacefully and securely. He also assured members of the Hindu community of appropriate cooperation in addressing their various demands and extended his greetings to everyone on the occasion.

The exchange of views was attended by Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Bijon Kanti Sarkar; Basudeb Dhar, president of the Bangladesh Puja Celebration Council; its general secretary, Santosh Sharma; and Gopal Chandra Debnath, president of Dhakeshwari National Temple.

Earlier, the president visited the temple’s Puja pavilion and watched a cultural programme.