War criminals of the country -- who carried out atrocities during the Liberation War, should never be forgiven. If we show any sign of sympathy to them, ultimately we will show disregard to our liberation heroes, said Minister for Cultural Affairs Asaduzzaman Noor at Rajshahi University on Wednesday.

"We have to move forward to uphold the spirit of the Liberation War," he added.

Noor made these remarks at the inaugural ceremony of the eight-day Bangladesh-India alliance theatre festival organised by RU theatre department, in association with the Indian High Commission to Bangladesh.

Pankaj Saran, Indian High Commissioner, addressed the ceremony as chief guest with RU vice chancellor Prof Muhammad Mizanuddin in the chair.

He said the theatre festival offered more than entertainment; it was also a cultural movement to bring our culture back on the right track.

Remembering the contribution of RU to the country's higher education as well as  during Liberation War, Noor in his speech expressed his satisfaction with the environment on the  campus.

Indian High Commissioner Pankaj Saran termed the theatre festival as a sign of brotherhood, humanity and friendship between the people of the two countries.

During his speech, RU VC Prof Muhammad Mizanuddin called on teachers and students of the university to hold more such festivals to spread the spirit of the Liberation War among the new generation.

Among others, eminent writers Hasan Azizul Haque, director general of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Liaquat Ali Lucky and RU pro-VC Prof Chowdhury Sarwar Jahan spoke at programme.

Meanwhile, Asaduzzaman Noor also inaugurated the Teachers-Students Cultural Centre of the university there.