Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed urges communal harmony, assures minority security and peaceful celebration of upcoming Durga Puja nationwide. Photo : PID

DHAKA, June 22, 2026 (BSS)-Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed today said that the present government firmly believes in communal harmony and universal rights.

Criticizing incidents of minority persecution that occurred during the tenure of the former Awami League government in places such as Ramu, Nasirnagar and Cumilla, he said that the rate of persecution against minority communities  now declined at its lowest level. 

He added that although a few stray incidents have occurred, the administration has taken prompt and stringent legal action to this end .

The minister made the remarks during a courtesy meeting with the leaders of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad at his office at Bangladesh secretariat here.

An eight-member delegation led by the organization’s President Basudev Dhar and General Secretary Santosh Sharma joined the meeting.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Hindu, Buddhist, Christian and Ethnic Minority Affairs (with the rank of a state minister) Bijon Kanti Sarkar was also present at the meeting .
 
During the meeting, the participants discussed the protecting communal harmony in the country, ensuring the security of minority communities, maintaining law and order during the upcoming sacred Durga Puja festival and various demands of the Hindu community including issues relating to the Vested Property Act.

Leaders of the Puja Udjapan Parishad proposed the appointment of a designated “focal point” officer within the Home Ministry to facilitate the immediate reporting of any untoward incidents on minority communities. 

The minister assured them that the proposal would be considered sympathetically and implemented as soon as possible.

The discussion also touched upon  the construction of a Ram Temple by Haridas Chandra at Palashbari upazila in Gaibandha district and remarks made by Advocate  Chaitali Chakraborty that were alleged to be contrary to the country’s sovereignty.

In this regard, the Home Minister said, “We believe in social, political and religious harmony. The government attaches the highest priority to protecting the security and interests of the minority communities. However, all communities must act responsibly.”

He further emphasized that everyone should refrain from making statements or engaging in activities that hurt religious sentiments. 

He called upon all the stakeholders to act responsibly in order to maintain peace, stability, law and order and religious harmony across the country.