‘BNP, govt to act against injustice to Hindus’
Narayanganj City Corporation Administrator Advocate Sakhawat Hossain Khan has said the BNP and the government will take action if anyone from the Hindu community in Narayanganj faces injustice.
“Everyone in Bangladesh enjoys equal rights as a citizen and is free to practise their religion.
There are no minorities in Bangladesh. We are all Bangladeshis, and that is our identity. We grew up together and shared the same water sources.
We must stand by one another in times of happiness and sorrow,” he said as the chief guest at a programme organised at the NCC conference room on Monday to mark the upcoming Sharadiya Durga Puja. Marking the occasion, the city corporation provided Tk 25,000 each to 68 Durga Puja mandaps across the city.
Sakhawat Hossain Khan said this year’s Durga Puja carries particular significance, as it is the first time the festival is being celebrated since the BNP formed the government under the leadership of party chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
“We hope this year’s celebrations will be even more beautiful and peaceful than in previous years, when Durga Puja was celebrated peacefully,” he said.
He added that the BNP and its Narayanganj district and metropolitan units had taken various measures to ensure the smooth celebration of the festival.
Other political parties, including the BNP’s alliance partners, had also taken initiatives in this regard.
NCC officials and employees would stand alongside members of the Hindu community and share in the festive celebrations at the puja mandaps, he said.
Urging vigilance over security at the puja venues, the NCC administrator said some people were always trying to tarnish the country’s image.
Everyone must remain alert to prevent untoward incidents that could undermine communal harmony, he added.
He stressed the need for special attention to the security of idols and their ornaments at the puja mandaps. Although CCTV cameras had been installed at each venue, organisers must ensure that the entire premises and all important areas were covered by the cameras, he said.
“Thieves have no religion. They may steal whenever they get an opportunity. Everyone must remain vigilant to prevent incidents such as the theft of ornaments and clothing from idols. We do not want anything to happen in Narayanganj that could lead to negative news coverage,” he added.
He also expressed hope that the police administration, the BNP, its alliance partners, other political parties and citizens would work together to ensure peaceful Durga Puja celebrations.
The programme was chaired by Nur Kutubul Alam, acting chief executive officer of Narayanganj City Corporation.
Among those present were Metropolitan BNP Member Secretary Advocate Abu Al Yusuf Khan Tipu; Joint Convener Advocate Sarkar Humayun Kabir; former panel mayor Afsana Afroza Biva; former women councillor Dilara Masud Moyna; industrialist Saroj Kumar Saha; Narayanganj District Puja Udjapan Parishad President Shankar Kumar De; General Secretary Shikhan Sarkar Shipon;
Vice-President Tilottama Das; Metropolitan Puja Udjapan Parishad President Bishnupad Kumar Saha; General Secretary Sushil Das; Siddhirganj police station unit President Shishir Ghosh Amar; Bandar police station unit General Secretary Shyamal Biswas; and leaders of various puja mandaps.

