Peaceful Durga Puja celebration sets example of religious harmony: Home Minister

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said this year's Sharadiya Durga Puja was celebrated across Bangladesh amid tight security and festive enthusiasm, setting a remarkable example of religious harmony.

He made the remarks at a press briefing on contemporary issues held at the conference room of the Ministry of Home Affairs at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Sunday (October 25).

The minister said the advance preparations of law enforcement agencies and round-the-clock technology-based monitoring helped ensure a peaceful celebration without any major untoward incidents.

He expressed hope that the same peaceful atmosphere would be maintained in the coming years.

At the beginning of the briefing, Salahuddin thanked members of the police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Ansar, intelligence agencies, journalists and others who worked tirelessly to ensure a safe and peaceful Durga Puja celebration.

He claimed that various untoward incidents, acts of violence and attempts to undermine religious harmony had occurred during Durga Puja celebrations over the past 15 to 17 years, but the present government had succeeded in changing that situation.

The minister said the government had adopted preventive measures instead of waiting for incidents to occur.

Through digital applications and modern technology, round-the-clock monitoring was carried out at grassroots, divisional and central levels, enabling authorities to detect and foil a few potential sabotage attempts in advance.

According to the minister, Durga Puja was celebrated at a record 33,851 mandaps across the country this year.

He said the government had taken several initiatives to make the festival more enjoyable. The financial allocation for Durga Puja was increased from Tk 4 crore to Tk 5 crore, while the rice allocation for each puja mandap was raised by 100 kilograms to 600 kilograms.

Devotees also enjoyed five consecutive days of holidays, including three government holidays and the weekly holidays.

Salahuddin described these initiatives as a reflection of the government's commitment to building a united Bangladesh based on communal harmony.

Gopalganj incident and Sajek security situation
Responding to a question about a recent incident near Kheyaghat in Gopalganj Sadar, the home minister alleged that some members of the banned Awami League and its affiliated organisations, Chhatra League and Jubo League, had attempted to attack police personnel on patrol.

He said the police came under attack as they were outnumbered. Legal action against those involved has already begun following an examination of video footage of the incident.

Regarding the recent law and order situation in Sajek, the minister said internal disputes and struggles for dominance among several small armed groups often create tension during the tourism season.

However, he claimed that the situation was currently under control.

He said the Bangladesh Army and police were taking necessary measures to maintain peace and order, while political discussions involving local MP Wadud Bhuiyan and other local leaders were continuing.

Legal action against additional DIG
Asked about a raid on the residence of an additional deputy inspector general (DIG) of police during the Puja holidays and the sentencing of 85 people by a mobile court, the minister said the officer concerned had already been attached to another office, irrespective of his official position.

He added that departmental proceedings and other legal measures would continue against the officer in accordance with existing laws.

Repeated requests made for Hasina's extradition
Responding to questions about former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's reported announcement on social media that she would return to Bangladesh in December, as well as her statements from abroad, Salahuddin said the government had repeatedly requested her return through diplomatic channels.

He said several formal requests had been sent to the neighbouring country through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in accordance with existing laws and the extradition treaty.

The minister alleged that forces associated with the previous government were attempting to create fresh instability in the country.

He warned that no fugitive accused of crimes or individuals who had fled the country following the mass uprising would be allowed to carry out activities aimed at destabilising Bangladesh.

Next national election to be held under caretaker government
Responding to another question, the home minister said the next national election would be held under a neutral caretaker government.

He described the restoration of the caretaker government system as one of the key commitments of the political consensus and the movement.

Referring to the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, Salahuddin said the country's highest court had overturned the earlier verdict delivered by Justice ABM Khairul Haque, paving the way for the judicial restoration of the caretaker government system.