Strengthen communal harmony to attain development: President
Terming communal harmony a great tradition of the nation, President Abdul Hamid yesterday urged people of all religions to strengthen it to attain national development and progress, through a collective endeavour.
“Bangladesh is a land of communal harmony. All religious festivals are celebrated here with fervour and gaiety. I urge people of all religions to maintain it through collective efforts, and utilise it for attaining development of the country,” he said.
He made the call while exchanging greetings with members of the Hindu community at a reception at Bangabhaban, marking Janmashtami, an annual Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu.
The President also stressed the need for strengthening family ties to prevent violent incidents and build a peaceful society.
Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder, noted Hindu religious personalities, leaders of Hindu Religion Welfare Trust, Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad, Dhaka Mahanagar Sarbajonin Puja Committee, Bangladesh Hindu-Buddha-Christian Oikya Parishad and people from various professions of the community joined the reception.
Lawmakers, judges, ambassadors, the high commissioner of India to Bangladesh, senior journalists of the Hindu community, among others, also joined the reception.
The invited guests were entertained with traditional food items at Darbar Hall, as the president went around and exchanged greetings with them.
ENEMIES OF HINDUS ARE ENEMIES OF THE NATION: QUADER
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader yesterday said the enemies of the country’s Hindu community are also the enemies of the nation.
“Those who are your (the Hindu community) enemies and hostile to you, are communal forces... They are enemies of the state,” he told a rally at Palashi intersection in the city, on the occasion of Janmashtami.
Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, said there is no reason for Hindus to worry about their safety as long as the incumbent government is in power.
The Hindu community of the country yesterday observed Janmashtami, marking the birth of Lord Krishna, with due religious fervour.
According to Hindu religion, Lord Vishnu incarnated in the universe as Lord Krishna in the prison of Raja Kangsa on this day, the eighth of “Shukla Pakkha” (bright fortnight) in the month of Bengali calendar Bhadra in Dwapara Yuga, in order to protect “Dharma” from the hands of devils.
Sri Krishna was born to Devaki and her husband Vasudeva in Mathura to which Krishna’s parents belonged.
Members of the Hindu community brought out processions in the capital, divisional cities and district towns displaying the eventful life of Krishna and hold other programmes on the occasion.
Different social, cultural and religious organisations also chalked out elaborate programmes to observe Janmashtami, which is a public holiday.