State Minister for Water Resources Zahid Farooq on Sunday emphasized the non-communal nature of Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Speaking at a discussion meeting organized by ISKCON on the occasion of the Rath Yatra Mohotsav, Farooq highlighted the unity between people of various different religions during the Liberation War.
“We are living in a non-communal state under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Hindus, Muslims, Christians, and Bhuddists all participated in the Great War of Liberation and fought with their lives,” he said.
Farooq also said many minorities were unjustly oppressed during previous governments.
“At that time, Awami League workers were also unjustly tortured,” he added.
The discussion meeting was organized by Iskcon at the premises of Sri Sri Radha Shyamsundar Temple on BM College Road in Barisal city. Barisal-4 Constituency Member of Parliament Pankaj Nath spoke as the inaugural speaker, and Bangladesh Awami League National Committee Member Advocate Balram Poddar was the special guest.
At the end of the meeting, the Rath Yatra procession departed from Shri Shankar Math, moved along Amrit Lal De Road, Jail Khana Road, Bir Shrestha Captain Mohiuddin Jahangir Road, Kakli Bari Mor, Nagar Bhavan, Chawkbazar, Bazar Road, Baklar Mor, Nazirpool, and returned to Jail Khana Road and Amrit Lal De Road. It concluded at Amritangan in the new market area.
Tapaswi Das Brahmachari, president of Iskcon, announced that the Ulota Rath Yatra will be held on July 15. On that day, the idols of Jagannath Dev, Balaram Dev, and Subhadra Devi will be brought in a chariot from Amritangan and placed in the beautiful Radha Shyam temple.
Meanwhile, the Rath Yatra in Barisal began with various programs following religious rituals. Apart from Iskcon, the Rath Yatra procession left Jagannath Dev temple at 4 pm, assembled at Sadar Road, and circled various roads in the city.
Devotees held onto the ropes of the chariots and prayed for the well-being of all as the procession of three well-decorated chariots moved simultaneously through the city.