PM Visits JM Sen Hall Puja Mandap in Chattogram, Calls for Building Bangladesh With Everyone, Beyond Religious Division
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visited the puja mandap at Chattogram's historic JM Sen Hall on the occasion of Sharodiya Durga Utsab. Arriving there on Tuesday night (20 October), he joined an exchange-of-views meeting with members of the Hindu community. His message on the visit: he wants to build Bangladesh with everyone, not divided by religion or caste.
The Prime Minister reached the JM Sen Hall mandap at 8:15 pm. As part of his Chattogram trip, he landed at Shah Amanat International Airport at 7:40 pm and headed straight for the mandap from there.
On arrival, he was warmly received by leaders of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad's Chattogram metropolitan unit and representatives of the Hindu community. His presence added special significance to the festive atmosphere at the mandap.
Several senior ministers, advisers and party leaders accompanied the Prime Minister during the visit, including Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed.
Also present were Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie, Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury and Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Minister Saching Prue.
Party leaders in attendance included BNP standing committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, the party's acting secretary general and the Prime Minister's political adviser Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, and BNP special secretary Belayet Hossain Mridha.
State Minister for Local Government Mir Shah Alam, State Minister for Land and Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Barrister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin and the Prime Minister's special assistant Bijon Kanti Sarkar were also present.
Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Dr Shahadat Hossain, the Prime Minister's Press Secretary Saleh Shibli, Additional Press Secretary Atiqur Rahman Rumon and MPs from various local constituencies joined the exchange meeting.
Sharodiya Durga Utsab is the biggest religious festival of the Hindu community. The Prime Minister's visit to a puja mandap during the festival is being seen as a message of communal harmony.
Jugantor's report carried the Prime Minister's stated position: 'Not division by religion and caste — I want to build Bangladesh with everyone.' Standing at the historic JM Sen Hall mandap, he delivered that message before representatives of the Hindu community.
Chattogram's JM Sen Hall has long been one of the centres of the city's Durga festival. A major puja is held there every year, and this time the Prime Minister's presence has added to the occasion's significance.
The head of government's visit kept Chattogram busy through the day, with a visible presence of officials along his route from the airport to the mandap and around the venue.
The festive mood will continue at puja mandaps across the country for the remaining days of Durga Utsab. In line with the Prime Minister's message, the expectation now is a peaceful festival with participation from people of all faiths.
