President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday called on people from all communities to work together to protect constitutional rights and stand up against any violation of citizens’ rights, regardless of their religious identity.

“The rights guaranteed by the Constitution to people of every religion must be protected. If anyone’s rights are violated, we must stand up against it,” he said.

The President made the remarks at a view-exchange meeting after visiting Ramakrishna Mission in the capital on the occasion of Durga Puja.

He said the bonds of friendship, brotherhood and communal harmony among people of different faiths in Bangladesh have developed over thousands of years through mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.

“We will preserve at all costs the bonds of unity, brotherhood and goodwill built over thousands of years,” he said.

“We want to see a Bangladesh where we can live in peace and happiness, where there is no division on the basis of religion and everyone can practise their faith without fear or anxiety,” Mirza Fakhrul said.