Standing up against injustice, oppression, dishonesty and persecution, and defeating them, is the core message of Durga Puja, President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said on Sunday.He made the remarks while visiting Ramna Kali Temple in the capital on the occasion of Sharadiya Durga Puja 2026. The president said he firmly believed that the level of communal harmony in Bangladesh was unparalleled elsewhere in the world.At a time when conflict, violence and hatred were prevailing across the globe, people from the Hindu community were celebrating Durga Puja peacefully in Bangladesh, he said, describing it as a shining example of communal harmony and peaceful coexistence.Extending his greetings to members of the Hindu community, the president said Durga Puja was one of their major religious festivals and carried messages of justice, peace, harmony and human welfare. Evil forces have emerged repeatedly in this country, and the people of Bangladesh have defeated them, he said.Temple's history recalledRecalling the history of Ramna Kali Temple, the president said attempts were made to destroy it in 1971, and the temple was demolished in 1973.He alleged that the act had been carried out by those who spoke of secularism.The temple was restored in 2001 through the initiative of Babu Goyeshwar Chandra Roy and under the direction of former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, he said. Since then, efforts had been made to restore its former heritage.The president paid tribute to Khaleda Zia during the visit.Call to protect communal harmonyUrging people to remain united in protecting communal harmony, the president said Bangladesh's record of religious coexistence was often misrepresented and subjected to misinformation.He assured members of the Hindu community that the current government would work sincerely to address their existing problems. He also wished the Durga Puja celebrations success and thanked those who performed at the cultural programme.Among those present were Bijon Kanti Sarker, special assistant to the prime minister with the status of a state minister for Hindu, Buddhist, Christian and ethnic minority affairs; Ramna Temple president Arpana Roy Das; and its general secretary Milton Baidya.Temple member Subhash Chandra Das welcomed the president by presenting him with an uttariya, a traditional ceremonial scarf.