Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu has said equal rights must be ensured for all people in Bangladesh, irrespective of religion and ethnicity, including Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists and Christians.
He said the state must ensure an environment where people of all faiths can safely observe their respective religious and social activities.
He made the remarks as the chief guest at a discussion and a Mangal Shobhajatra organised by the Shri Shri Gouri Shankar Society in the Lalmonirhat Municipality area on the occasion of Janmashtami this noon.
Dulu said, "Ensuring equal rights for Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, Christians, people of the plains and hill communities-all people-is our commitment. Our party also upholds this belief."
"We are neither right nor left; we are centrist. Therefore, people of all religions and opinions can live together with us," he added.
He said it is the responsibility of the state to ensure the security of minority communities.
Their religious, personal and social security must be ensured so that no community considers itself vulnerable because of being smaller in number, he added.
"We are working with everyone to ensure the harmony and security of traditional Bangladesh," the Relief Minister said, adding that during the tenure of the present government, honorariums have been provided to Hindu priests, sebaits and other religious figures alongside imams, and initiatives have been taken to provide the honorariums to all of them again.
Regarding the development of the Gouri Shankar Society, the minister said effective initiatives must be taken to preserve the society's property and ensure its proper use.
He said leaving such a large property unused could create a risk of encroachment.
Urging the new committee to prepare a master plan, he said necessary cooperation would be provided to implement development activities according to the plan.
"You provide the plan and let us know what work needs to be done. I will cooperate in advancing your development activities," he said.
Referring to the development of various pilgrimage sites and religious establishments in Lalmonirhat, the minister said a master plan has been undertaken around the historic Sindhumati Dighi, which had remained neglected and unattended for a long time.
Development work on various religious establishments, including Durga, Kali and Shiva temples, is underway there, he continued.
He further said puja and religious festivals, as well as a fair, are held at Sindhumati Dighi.
Necessary security measures have been ensured there, he added.
"Initiatives have been taken to develop the site into a more attractive and important pilgrimage destination," he said, adding that a committee has also been formed to oversee the activities.
Lalmonirhat Zila Parishad Administrator A K M Mominul Haque, Additional Deputy Commissioner Russel Mia, Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mononita Das, District unit of BNP Joint General Secretary A B M Faruk Siddiq, Municipal BNP President Afzal Hossain, Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad President Shri Hiralal Roy, Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council President Bir Muktijoddha Shri Shailendra Kumar Roy and Hindu Buddhist Kallyan Front President Shri Guru Charan Roy, among other leaders of the Sanatan faith, were present at the programme.