Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan has called on people to draw inspiration from the teachings of Durga Puja to uphold truth and eliminate injustice. He said people must continue their struggle to establish truth and justice and remove injustice and oppression from society. The teachings of Goddess Durga inspire people to stand against wrongdoing and establish justice.

He made the remarks as the chief guest at a Durga Puja visit and Mahashtami greetings exchange programme organised by the Azimpur Government Residential Area Puja Committee in the capital on Monday (October 19). During the event, the minister unveiled the cover of the committee’s annual Sharadiya publication, Souhardya-1433.

Dr. Moyeen Khan said Durga Puja is an important part of Bengal’s age-old culture and heritage. He stressed the need to preserve the traditional characteristics of the region’s Durga Puja celebrations so that they are not lost amid modernisation.

He said cultural performances, including music and dance, alongside religious festivities reflect the richness of the country’s cultural heritage. Preserving these traditions is a collective responsibility, he added.

The minister emphasised that people in Bangladesh must live together peacefully, setting aside differences of religion, caste and ethnic identity. “It does not matter which religion or caste we belong to; we are all Bangladeshis, and that is our proud identity,” he said.

Referring to former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia’s vision of peaceful coexistence among people of all faiths in Bangladesh, he said the country must move forward by upholding the spirit of communal harmony and goodwill.

He called for people of all religions and communities to take pride in their shared Bangladeshi identity and remain united through mutual respect and brotherhood, so that the country can become an example of peace to the world.

The minister also expressed his expectation that Bangladesh would continue on the path of democracy, with people of all faiths living together in an atmosphere of mutual respect and harmony. He stressed the importance of collective efforts to establish Bangladesh as a global example of peace.

The programme was chaired by Biswajit Baishya, president of the Azimpur Government Residential Area Puja Committee-2026.

Among those present as special guests were reserved-seat Member of Parliament Selina Sultana Nishita, former member of the Bangladesh Public Service Commission Sri Samar Chandra Pal, and Secretary of the Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat Barrister Golam Sarwar Bhuiyan.