Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday said his government was working for the welfare of every citizen irrespective of religion, caste, class, profession or community, as he pledged to build a country where identity would not become a barrier to rights and opportunities.
Rahman made the remarks during a meeting with representatives of the Hindu and Buddhist communities at his office in the Bangladesh Secretariat. The interaction came ahead of Durga Puja and the Buddhist Kathin Chibar Dan festival, with representatives of the two communities placing their concerns and demands before the government.
Equal rights for citizens
Rahman said the government’s objective was to ensure equal rights and dignity for every citizen and that religious or social identity should not determine access to opportunities.
“We want to build a Bangladesh where religion, caste or identity will never be a barrier to anyone’s rights and opportunities. Our goal is to ensure equal rights and dignity for every citizen,” the Prime Minister said.
His Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Hossain Shadhin said representatives of the two communities raised a range of problems, needs and demands during the interaction. Rahman assured them that the government would consider legitimate concerns and make efforts to address issues within its capacity.
The Prime Minister said the administration was sincerely working for the welfare of people belonging to all communities and that reasonable demands would be given due importance.
Durga Puja holidays extended
Hindu representatives thanked the government for extending the official holiday for Durga Puja, saying the decision would allow members of the community greater opportunity to participate in the celebrations.
The government has declared three days of official holidays from October 20 to 22 for Durga Puja. Combined with the regular Friday and Saturday weekend on October 23 and 24, the arrangement will effectively provide a five-day break.
Durga Puja celebrations are scheduled to begin on October 16, with Maha Shashthi. Hindu representatives also invited Rahman to visit Puja mandaps during the festival.
The extension of the holiday had been a longstanding demand of sections of Bangladesh’s Hindu community.
Tk 8 crore allocated
Rahman also handed over cheques worth a combined Tk 8 crore to welfare trusts representing the Hindu and Buddhist communities.
The Hindu Religious Welfare Trust received Tk 5 crore for Durga Puja, while the Buddhist Religious Welfare Trust was allocated Tk 3 crore for Kathin Chibar Dan.
The allocations were higher than the amounts originally sought by the two organisations. The Hindu Religious Welfare Trust had requested Tk 4 crore, while the Buddhist Religious Welfare Trust had sought Tk 2 crore.
The government increased the amounts to Tk 5 crore and Tk 3 crore, respectively, under special consideration.
The funds are expected to be distributed among beneficiaries through the respective religious welfare trusts and district administrations, with payments being transferred directly to bank accounts.
Greetings to communities
Rahman extended greetings to the Hindu community ahead of Durga Puja and to the Buddhist community for Kathin Chibar Dan. He also wished peace, prosperity and wellbeing for all Bangladeshis.
Representatives of both communities reciprocated the greetings and thanked the government for increasing the financial allocations for their festivals.
The outreach comes at a sensitive time for Bangladesh’s religious minorities, with security around places of worship remaining an important concern ahead of major festivals. Recent vandalism of under-construction idols at a temple in Mirzapur had renewed concerns over the protection of Hindu religious sites.
The government has said security measures are being strengthened to ensure that Durga Puja celebrations can be held peacefully.
Minority outreach
Wednesday’s meeting continued the Rahman government’s outreach to minority communities, with the administration publicly maintaining that religious identity should not affect citizenship rights or access to state institutions.
Hindu and Buddhist representatives used the meeting to raise community-specific concerns directly with the Prime Minister, while the government sought to underline its commitment to equal treatment.
Rahman’s assurances, alongside the extended Durga Puja holidays and increased festival allocations, place the government’s stated commitment to religious equality under focus as Bangladesh enters the festive period. The implementation of those assurances, particularly the protection of minority communities and their places of worship, will remain central to how that commitment is assessed.