Dhaka:President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has emphasized the importance of forming a national committee with representatives from Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, and other ethnic minority communities to safeguard their rights and dignity. He stated that such a committee would facilitate the presentation of their various issues and demands to the government.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the President made these remarks during a meeting with a nine-member delegation from the Bangladesh Buddhist Federation and Dharmarajika Buddhist Monastery at Bangabhaban. President's Press Secretary Md Sarwar Alam reported that the President stressed the need for greater emphasis on education and human resource development within the Buddhist community to prevent them from lagging behind. He encouraged educated and experienced members to take an active role in this development.
The delegation informed the President about the challenges faced by the Buddhist community and their traditional religious and social activities. In response, the President assured them that steps would be taken to address these issues, emphasizing the need to ensure the lawful rights and dignity of all communities and to eliminate discrimination.
The delegation also invited the President to the Kathin-Chivar-Dana ceremony at Dharmarajika Buddhist Monastery in Kamalapur, scheduled for November, and the President confirmed his attendance.
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, and Ethnic Minority Affairs Bijon Kanti Sarkar, along with other notable members such as Abbot Sri Saddharmmasasanadhwaj Buddhapriya Mahathero, and various leaders from the Buddhist community, were present at the meeting. The President's Military Secretary, Secretary, and Press Secretary also attended.