“We want to build a Chougachha of harmony, not communalism,” said Jashore-2 (Chougachha-Jhikargachha) constituency lawmaker Dr. Mosleh Uddin Farid. He said Bangladesh should be built on harmony, free of communalism.
He made the remarks as chief guest at a discussion meeting held in Chougachha, Jashore, Friday (Sept. 4) to mark Janmashtami, one of the Sanatan community’s main religious festivals.
The discussion meeting was held at noon at the Radha Krishna Temple in Haldarpara, Chougachha municipality, organized by the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad and the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Front’s Chougachha upazila unit.
Dr. Mosleh Uddin Farid said Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony. It is the country’s tradition and beauty, he said, that people of all faiths observe their own religious festivals peacefully. Religious festivals awaken mutual harmony, empathy and a sense of brotherhood among people, he said, and called on everyone, regardless of religion or ethnicity, to bond together in mutual respect and harmony and play a role in nation-building.
The meeting was chaired by Sri Gobinda Kumar Raha, convener of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Front’s Chougachha upazila unit, with the keynote address delivered by Principal Balai Chandra Pal, president of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad’s Chougachha upazila unit. Moderated by Sri Abhijit Kumar Roy, general secretary of the upazila puja mandap committee, special guests at the event included Upazila Nirbahi Officer Farzana Islam; Assistant Commissioner (Land) and municipal administrator G.M.A. Munib; Chougachha police station OC Mamunur Rashid, PPM; upazila Jamaat ameer Maulana Golam Morshed; assistant secretary Master Kamal Ahmed; and journalist M.A. Rahim, among others.
Also present were Sri Dhirendra Nath Dey, convener of the Shubho Janmashtami Celebration Sub-committee 2026; member secretary Sri Nirmal Kumar Kundu; Sri Ranjit Kumar Biswas; Sri Ananta Sarkar, convener of the Chougachha upazila unit of the Hindu, Buddhist, Christian Unity Council; Sri Nimai Kumar Sarkar, a former president of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad; and other leaders at various levels.
After the discussion meeting, a Mangal Shobhajatra (auspicious procession) was taken out, winding through various roads in the municipal town before returning to the Radha Krishna Temple.
According to the beliefs of the Sanatan community, Lord Krishna was born on the ashtami tithi of the waning fortnight of the Bhadra month, which is why the day is observed with religious reverence as Janmashtami. The event marking the occasion concluded with a special prayer for the peace, prosperity and welfare of the country, the nation and its people.