BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has extended his greetings to the Hindu community on the occasion of Sharadiya Durga Puja and Bijoya Dashami, calling for communal harmony and equal rights for all citizens.

In a statement sent to the media on Wednesday, Tarique said: “On the occasion of the Hindu community’s biggest religious festival, I extend my heartfelt greetings and congratulations to all followers of the Hindu faith. I wish them happiness, peace, and welfare.”

He said that Bangladesh has a long tradition of people of different religions and communities living in harmony. “Religion belongs to each individual, but the state belongs to all,” he stressed, urging the Hindu community to celebrate the festival with joy and safety while spreading the message of friendship.

Tarique also said the Bangladesh Constitution and Hadith, saying that every citizen deserves security and dignity regardless of faith or ideology. “Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) warned against injustice towards non-Muslims under state protection and promised to stand against such persecutors on the Day of Judgement,” he reminded.

The BNP leader called for a Bangladesh free of fascism, where mutual respect and moral responsibility prevail. He urged law enforcement agencies to remain vigilant during the festival to prevent any attempt to disrupt communal harmony, as seen in previous regimes.

MN/