PM Pledges Equal Rights, Dignity for All Citizens

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday pledged to build a Bangladesh where religion, race or identity would not stand in the way of anyone’s rights and opportunities, ensuring equal rights and dignity for every citizen.

“We want to build a Bangladesh where religion, race or identity will not stand in the way of people’s rights and opportunities. Our goal is to ensure equal rights and dignity for every citizen of the country,” he said.

The Prime Minister made the remarks at a view-exchange meeting with representatives of the Hindu and Buddhist communities at his office at the Secretariat, said his Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Hossain Shadhin.

Representatives of the Hindu community thanked the Prime Minister for extending the government holiday for Durga Puja, saying the decision had added to the festive atmosphere.

Representatives of both the Hindu and Buddhist communities also raised various problems, needs and demands with the Prime Minister.

Tarique Rahman listened to their concerns and assured them that the government was sincerely working for the welfare of people from all communities.

“We will make our utmost efforts to do whatever is possible on behalf of the government. Your reasonable demands and problems will be considered with importance,” he said.

The Hindu community representatives invited the Prime Minister to visit different Durga Puja mandaps during the five-day Durga Puja celebrations beginning on October 17.

Tarique Rahman also extended greetings to members of the Hindu community on the occasion of Durga Puja and to members of the Buddhist community on the occasion of Kathin Chibor Dan.

He wished peace, prosperity and welfare for all citizens.

The representatives of the two communities, in turn, extended greetings to the Prime Minister on the occasion of their respective religious festivals.

Tk 8 Crore Allocated for Religious Festivals

Later, the Prime Minister handed over cheques worth Tk 5 crore to the Hindu Religious Welfare Trust for Durga Puja and Tk 3 crore to the Buddhist Religious Welfare Trust for the Buddhist religious festival.

The Hindu Religious Welfare Trust had sought Tk 4 crore for Durga Puja, but the Prime Minister approved Tk 5 crore as a special consideration.

Similarly, the Buddhist Religious Welfare Trust had sought Tk 2 crore for the Kathin Chibor Dan festival, while Tarique Rahman approved Tk 3 crore, also as a special consideration.

The government has declared a three-day public holiday from October 20 to 22 on the occasion of Durga Puja. Including the weekend on October 23 and 24, the holiday period will extend to five days.

The allocated funds will be distributed among beneficiaries through the Hindu Religious Welfare Trust and district administrations. Beneficiaries will receive the money directly through their bank accounts.

Representatives of the Hindu and Buddhist communities thanked the Prime Minister for increasing the allocations and expressed their gratitude to the government.

Senior officials of the Prime Minister’s Office, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Bijon Kanti Sarkar, Dhaka District BNP General Secretary Nipun Roy Chowdhury, MP, Subarna Sikdar, MP, Hindu Religious Welfare Trust Vice-Chairman Tapan Chandra Majumder, Secretary General Debendra Nath Orao, Kalbela Editor Santosh Sharma, BNP Assistant Secretary for Religious Affairs Amalendu Das Apu and BNP National Executive Committee Member Sushil Chandra Barua, among others, attended the meeting.