News Flash
RANGAMATI, Oct 11, 2025 (BSS) – Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT) Affairs Adviser Supradip Chakma today said the government maintains equal respect for all religions and communities and consistently extends support to ensure that all religious festivals are celebrated smoothly and peacefully.
“This festival is not merely a religious event; it also strengthens the bridge of harmony between the hills and the plains. It carries a message of peace, harmony, and democracy,” he told a religious gathering at the Monghor Rangapani Milan Vihar premises in Rangamati town this afternoon.
Religious Affairs Adviser Dr. A.F.M. Khalid Hossain inaugurated the event.
Referring to the upcoming national election, Adviser Supradip Chakma said, “A free and fair election is one of the foundations of democracy. Your responsible cooperation is crucial to ensure a peaceful and congenial atmosphere to this end.”
He urged everyone to remain cautious about misinformation and disorder, adding that the government is committed to holding a participatory, peaceful, and neutral election where citizens can exercise their voting rights freely.
The event began with the Akas Deep Dan — the offering of lighted balloons in the sky — followed by the lighting of lamps, Panchashila prayers, and recitation of Metta Sutta for the welfare of the nation and its people.
Adviser Supradip Chakma said the National Kathin Chibor Daan Utsab (Kathina Robe Offering Festival) will further strengthen the message of peaceful coexistence in the hills. “It is essential to preserve communal harmony, and under no circumstances should cracks be allowed to appear in this unity,” he added.
Religious Affairs Adviser Dr. Khalid Hossain said, “A cremation ground has been constructed for the Buddhist community in Uttara, Dhaka, and 21 kathas of land have been allocated in Purbachal for building an international-standard Buddhist Monastery and Welfare Trust complex. The government has also provided a grant of Tk two crore to support the religious activities of the Buddhist community.”
More than 300 Buddhist monks from across the country took part in the festival. Monastic delegations from Cox’s Bazar, Teknaf, Rangpur, Dinajpur, Dhaka, Cumilla, Barguna, Patuakhali, Chattogram, and 16 monastic communities from the Chittagong Hill Tracts attended the ceremony.
Adviser Supradip Chakma’s wife Nandita Chakma, Rangamati Zila Parishad Chairman Kajol Talukdar, Trustee of the Buddhist Religious Welfare Trust Professor Dr. Sukomal Barua, Vice Chairman Bhavesh Chakma, BNP’s Central Assistant Religious Affairs Secretary Advocate Dipen Dewan, Convener of the National Kathin Chibor Daan Celebration Committee Professor Ranjyoti Chakma, singer Ranjit Dewan, and several religious leaders were also present on the occasion.
Throughout the day-long event, Buddhist monks delivered religious sermons, while devotees from across the country, including the Chittagong Hill Tracts, participated in this historic celebration.
