Rajib Dey:
Leaders of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad paid a courtesy call on Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed at his office room in the Bangladesh Secretariat this afternoon.
An eight-member delegation, led by Basudeb Dhar, President, and Santosh Sharma, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad, participated in the meeting. Bijon Kanti Sarkar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, and Ethnic Minority Affairs (with the rank of State Minister), was present at the time.
During the meeting, detailed discussions were held regarding the maintenance of communal harmony in the country, ensuring the security of minority communities, controlling law and order during the upcoming Sharadiya Durga Puja, and various demands of the Hindu community, including the Vested Property Act.
The Home Minister stated that the current government firmly believes in communal harmony and universal rights. Strongly criticizing the untoward incidents of minority repression that took place at various places in the country, including Ramu in Cox’s Bazar, Nasirnagar in Brahmanbaria, and Cumilla, during the tenure of the past fascist Awami government, he said that the rate of repression on minority communities is the lowest under the current government. Even if one or two isolated incidents occurred, the administration took strict legal action immediately.
During the meeting, the leaders of the Puja Udjapan Parishad demanded the appointment of a ‘Focal Point’ officer to immediately apprise the Ministry of Home Affairs of any untoward incidents concerning the minority communities. The Minister assured them of considering the demand with great empathy and implementing it swiftly.
During the discussion, the issues of the construction of a Ram Mandir by Haridas Chandra in Palashbari, Gaibandha, and the anti-sovereignty remarks made by Advocate Chaitali Chakraborty were raised. In this regard, the Home Minister said, “We believe in social, political, and religious harmony. The government is giving topmost priority to protecting the security and interests of the minority communities. However, in this case, it is imperative for all communities to play a responsible role.” He further added that everyone must refrain from any statements or activities that hurt religious sentiments. He called upon all parties to behave responsibly to maintain peace, order, stability, and religious harmony in the country.
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