State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit spoke at a discussion held at Munshi Meherullah Maidan in Jashore. Photo : BSS

JASHORE, Sept 4, 2026 (BSS) - State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit has said any attempt to create division in the country or unrest in society by exploiting religion will be collectively resisted at the state and social levels.

He said this as the chief guest at a discussion held ahead of a rally organised by the Jashore district, Sadar upazila and municipality Puja 
Udjapan Parishad at Munshi Meherullah Maidan in Jashore this noon on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna.

The State Minister inaugurated the programme by leading the rendition of the national anthem and hoisting the national flag.

The State Minister said action would be taken against those who use religion for the interests of cheap politics, irrespective of differences in religious identity or political ideology.

"Religion is a matter of people's faith and consciousness; its use as a tool to gain unethical political advantage is undesirable," he said.

Highlighting the significance of Janmashtami, Amit said Lord Krishna was born in a prison in Mathura amid difficult times, teaching that no matter how deep the darkness is, the light of emancipation comes by following the path of justice.

He said the mass uprising of 2024 had also given the same lesson. 

Recalling a statement by the late former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, the State Minister said every person living in Bangladesh has only one identity, irrespective of religion or political identity-that of a Bangladeshi.

He also said that members of the Sanatan faith have rights equal to those of others.

Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Ashek Hasan, Police Superintendent Syed Rafiqul Islam and Jashore Municipality Administrator Rafiqul Hasan addressed the discussion as special guests.

District unit of BNP President Advocate Syed Saberul Haque Sabu and General Secretary Delwar Hossain Khan Khokon were present as guests of honour.

District Puja Udjapan Parishad President Dipankar Das Ratan presided over the programme, which was moderated by its General Secretary Tapan Kumar Ghosh.

Former District BNP Vice-President Golam Reza Dulu, ex-municipality mayor Maruful Islam, Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Kallyan Front Jashore district unit Convener Advocate Debashish Das, Ramakrishna Ashram and Mission Jashore Principal Swami Gyanprakashanandaji Maharaj, Sadar Upazila Puja Udjapan Parishad President Robin Pal and General Secretary Prashanta Kumar Sarker, Municipality Puja Udjapan Parishad General Secretary Utpal Ghosh and District Joint General Secretary Ratan Acharya also spoke, among others, at the programme.