New Delhi: In a symbolic show of solidarity, the chiefs of Bangladesh’s three armed forces jointly participated in the Janmashtami celebrations wherein army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman reaffirmed the secular foundations of the country and vowed protection for all religious communities.
“This country belongs to everyone. There will be no division based on religion, ethnicity, or community. You will live in this country without fear. We will always stand by your side,” General Zaman said in a speech originally in Bangla at a gathering Saturday in Dhaka.
General Zaman, Navy chief Admiral M.Nazmul Hassan, and air force chief Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan attended the central Janmashtami festival and procession at the Palashi intersection.
Their unified presence, alongside Major General Md Moin Khan, General Officer Commanding of the 9th Infantry Division, was described by Hindu community leaders as an unprecedented and historic gesture, according to local papers.
The remarks, delivered from the grounds of the Dhakeshwari temple, a symbolic space for the Hindu community, carried additional weight as they came amid reported incidents of violence and discrimination against the Hindus following the appointment of interim Prime Minister Yunus in August last year.
General Zaman framed the military’s presence as part of a broader pledge to defend Bangladesh’s pluralist identity. “Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, Christians, hill people, and Bengalis, we have all lived together in peace for centuries,” he said. “Whatever support and assistance you seek from us, Insha’Allah, we will provide it.”
Admiral Hassan echoed the sentiments, saying that Janmashtami is more than a religious festival: it is “a call for peace, harmony, and humanity.” Quoting the teachings of Lord Krishna, the admiral emphasised justice, equality, and solidarity with the oppressed.
“Our law enforcement and armed forces stand ready to ensure the safety of all religious events,” he said. “The world should see this Janmashtami procession as proof that Bangladesh is a land of harmony.”
Air Chief Marshal Khan offered a personal reflection, recalling his upbringing in Old Dhaka, near the historic Joykali temple. “I grew up with Hindu and Christian friends. Since childhood, we never discriminated based on religion,” he said. “That unity must be preserved, it is essential for peace and progress.”
Earlier, Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus extended greetings to the Hindu community on the occasion of Janmashtami, expressing hope that the teachings of Lord Krishna would help foster “mutual goodwill and brotherhood” while preserving the country’s “existing order and communal harmony.”
(Edited by Tony Rai)
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