 "Bangladesh's Chief of Army Staff General Waker-uz-Zaman gestures during an interview with Reuters at his office in the Bangladesh Army Headquarters, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, September 23, 2024. File Photo/Reuters")
As Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus faces criticism for his silence on rising communal tensions, Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman has taken a bold stand for unity and celebrated Janmashtami in Dhaka on Saturday.
According to a Times of India report, the army chief delivered a powerful message, saying Bangladesh belongs to everyone, regardless of religion, ethnicity, race, or community.
Emphasising that all citizens have equal rights in the country, he said, “You will live in this country without fear. We will always stand by your side.”
He was joined at the event by Navy Chief Admiral M Nazmul Hassan, Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, and Major General Md Moin Khan, GOC of the Army’s 9th Infantry Division— sending a strong message that the military stands united in safeguarding Bangladesh’s secular values at a time when fundamentalist forces are gaining ground.
Referring to the presence of the Navy chief, Air chief, and the GOC of the 9th Infantry Division, General Waker-uz-Zaman said, “Together, we will always stand beside you… You will live in this country without fear. Celebrate your religious festivals with joy. We will share in your celebrations together.”
In Bangladesh, the rights of religious minorities remain a pressing concern. Since the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, reports of violence and targeted attacks —particularly against the Hindu community — have surged.
These incidents, along with ongoing patterns of discrimination and harassment, have heightened fears for the safety and security of minority groups across the country.
With inputs from agencies