Dhaka:Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has declared his government's commitment to ensuring equal rights and dignity for every citizen, regardless of their religion, caste, class, profession, or community.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Prime Minister made this statement while engaging with representatives from the Hindu and Buddhist communities at the Bangladesh Secretariat. During the meeting, the representatives thanked the Prime Minister for extending the government holiday for Sharadiya Durga Puja, which they said enhanced the festive spirit among the Hindu community.
The meeting also served as a platform for the communities to present various issues, needs, and demands. Prime Minister Rahman assured them of the government's dedication to the welfare of all communities and promised to consider their legitimate demands with due importance.
In addition to extending greetings to the Hindu and Buddhist communities for their respective festivals, the Prime Minister increased financial allocations for these occasions. He allocated Tk 5 crore to the Hindu Religious Welfare Trust for Durga Puja and Tk 3 crore to the Buddhist Religious Welfare Trust for the Kathin Chibar Dan festival, exceeding their initial requests.
The funds will be distributed through the respective trusts and district administrations, with beneficiaries receiving the money directly in their bank accounts. The community representatives expressed gratitude for the increased allocations and the government's support.
The meeting was attended by PM's Special Assistant Bijon Kanti Sarkar, lawmakers Nipun Roy Chowdhury and Subarna Shikdar Thakur, among other officials and community leaders.