Bangladesh does not belong to any single religion; it is a country for people of all faiths, Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said today, urging citizens to remain united against efforts to disrupt communal harmony.

He made the remarks while inaugurating the Sri Sri Jagannath Rath Jatra Festival 2026 at Swamibagh Ashram in Dhaka.

PM's Special Assistant Bijon Kanti Sarkar and PM's Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar attended the inaugural ceremony and discussion as special guests.

Addressing the gathering, the minister said the government does not believe in politics that seeks to divide people on religious grounds. Instead, he said, it is committed to advancing the country by bringing together people of all faiths under the spirit of Bangladeshi nationalism.

He said the government is giving priority to national development and the welfare of the people.

Recalling the Liberation War of 1971, Fakhrul said Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists and Christians had fought together for the country's independence.

He alleged that "a vested quarter" has repeatedly tried to weaken that tradition of communal harmony and urged people to remain united to resist such attempts.

The Rath Jatra festival, organised by ISKCON Bangladesh at the Swamibagh Ashram, marks the beginning of the annual Hindu religious celebration and draws thousands of devotees each year.