Pabna Correspondent

Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury called upon citizens irrespective of caste, creed, and religion to unite against fundamentalism, extremism, and communalism, embracing the human welfare and harmony philosophy of Sri Sri Thakur Anukul Chandra.

The Minister made the remarks while addressing as chief guest a grand religious congregation organized at Himaitpur in Pabna on Sunday.

 marking the 139th birth anniversary of Sri Sri Thakur Anukul Chandra and the Bhagirathi-Padma holy bath festival. Thousands of devotees and followers from home and abroad attended the festival. State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Nawaz Mahmud Khayam was present as the special guest.

Presided over by Thakur Anukul Chandra Satsang President Pran Shankar Das, the gathering was attended by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, and Ethnic Minority Affairs) Bijon Kanti Sarkar and Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Labour and Employment Chairman Advocate Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, MP.

Addressing the congregation, Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury described Thakur Anukul Chandra as an icon of humanity, morality, education, service, and spiritual leadership whose philosophy continues to inspire a tolerant society.

Criticizing the previous administration, the Minister alleged that past governance weakened the education system through auto-passes, hindered cultural growth, fostered drug addiction among the youth, and damaged constitutional, financial, and electoral institutions. He stated that popular resistance against these declines culminated in the July mass uprising and the fall of fascism.

Concluding his speech, the Cultural Affairs Minister emphasized that Bangladesh's core strength lies in its pluralistic culture, urging all citizens to preserve harmony to build a peaceful, non-communal, and humane state. The event concluded with special prayers, religious discussions, and traditional rituals associated with the holy bath festival.