State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam called for removing crude and indecent practices from politics and culture to build a more refined environment. Speaking as chief guest at the opening of Jagannath University Recitation Council’s sixth Recitation Festival 2026 on Monday, he said Bangladesh’s image and future could be harmed otherwise.

Khaiyam said institutional capacity gaps had emerged in politics, culture, the economy and other sectors because of crises in recent years. He said the current government was working to overcome that situation and build a secular, non-discriminatory and democratic state regardless of nation, religion and group. He also said the government was sincere about revitalising and refining the country’s cultural sector.

The state minister stressed the need to remove ugly and indecent forms from political language to create a healthy environment. He said the government would fully support Jagannath University’s overall reconstruction and cultural activities. The daylong festival included an inter-department Nazrul recitation competition, honours for distinguished people, prize distribution, a discussion session and cultural performances.