Govt reaffirms pledge to communal harmony

The government remains steadfast in its commitment to communal harmony and equal rights for all citizens, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said on Monday.

He said that while a handful of isolated incidents have taken place, the authorities have responded swiftly and enforced strict legal measures to address them.

The minister made the statement during a courtesy meeting with leaders of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad at his office in the Bangladesh Secretariat.

The eight-member delegation was headed by the organization’s President, Basudev Dhar, and General Secretary, Santosh Sharma.

Also present at the meeting was Bijon Kanti Sarkar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Hindu, Buddhist, Christian and Ethnic Minority Affairs, holding the rank of a state minister. During the meeting, the participants discussed the protecting communal harmony in the country, ensuring the security of minority communities, maintaining law and order during the upcoming sacred Durga Puja festival and various demands of the Hindu community inclu-ding issues relating to the Vested Property Act.

Leaders of the Puja Udjapan Parishad proposed the appointment of a designated “focal point” officer within the Home Ministry to facilitate the immediate reporting of any untoward incidents on minority communities.

The minister assured them that the proposal would be considered sympathetically and implemented as soon as possible.

The discussion also touched upon the construction of a Ram Temple by Haridas Chandra at Palashbari upazila in Gaibandha district and remarks made by Advocate Chaitali Chakraborty that were alleged to be contrary to the country’s sovereignty.

In this regard, the Home Minister said, “We believe in social, political and religious harmony. The government attaches the highest priority to protecting the security and interests of the minority communities. However, all communities must act responsibly.”

He further emphasized that everyone should refrain from making statements or engaging in activities that hurt religious sentiments.

He called upon all the stakeholders to act responsibly in order to maintain peace, stability, law and order and religious harmony across the country.