BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday said Bangladesh is a unique example of communal harmony.

“We fought for our independence in 1971. The core spirit of the independence was to build a truly non-communal society in Bangladesh and a totally democratic state. We are working to materialize that goal,” he said.

The BNP leader also said: “We all have to take the opportunity of the changeover of ‘5/8’. This country does not belong to anyone alone”.

Mirza Fakhrul said this while exchanging greetings with Hindu devotees during his visit to the central Puja Mandap of Dhakeshwari National Temple in the city.

On behalf of the BNP Chairperson and the Acting Chairman, he extended greetings to the Hindu devotees and said, “May this Durga Puja bring unparallel joy to your lives, pave the way for a beautiful future and may Bangladesh truly become an example of communal harmony—that is my wish, that is my hope”.

BNP secretary general along with other central leaders visited the temple on the first day of the Sharadiya Durga Puja, the biggest religious festival of the Bangalee Hindu community.

The festival began today with invocation of Goddess Durga on the day of Maha Shasthi.

Mohanagar Sarbojaneen Puja Udjapan Committee President Jayanta Kumar Deb and General Secretary Tapash Chandra Paul, Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad President Basudeb Dhar and General Secretary Santosh Sharma and other leaders of the Puja Udjapan Committee welcomed the BNP secretary general at the Puja Mandap.

“The goddess, you are worshipping and whom you call Maa Durga, emerged to eliminate the demon, remove injustice and establish the brotherhood, friendship and harmony among people. She (Durga) was also emerged to eliminate hatred, revenge and retaliation and create a society with love and affection,” Mirza Fakhrul said.