Bangladesh’s Chief Information Officer Syed Abdal Ahmad has said that India is conducting cultural dominance over Bangladesh through its satellite television, Hindi films, and commercial markets. Speaking at a seminar on preventing cultural aggression organized by the Bangladesh Journalists Welfare Trust on Wednesday, he emphasized that resisting such influence requires upholding the spirit of Ekushey, which symbolizes national identity and linguistic pride.

Ahmad explained that cultural identity connects people to their history and traditions, helping them maintain dignity and creativity. He warned that blind imitation of foreign culture weakens national values and leads to loss of self-identity. He recalled that during Pakistan’s rule, cultural aggression was resisted through the 1952 Language Movement, which gave rise to the Ekushey spirit. He also noted that former President Ziaur Rahman promoted Bangladeshi nationalism as a safeguard against cultural domination.

Other speakers, including Bashir Jamal of the Journalists Welfare Trust, stressed that culture forms the foundation of a nation’s identity and that families play a vital role in preserving local traditions amid globalization and technological change.