Muhammad Yunus, the chief adviser to Bangladesh’s interim administration, visited the Dhakeshwar temple on Tuesday to oversee preparations for the upcoming Durga Puja, engaging with members of the Hindu minority community. As reported by the state-run BSS news agency, Yunus toured the temple grounds, evaluating arrangements for the annual Hindu celebration scheduled to commence next week.
“Whatever faith or ideology one follows, whether rich or poor, every person is first and foremost a citizen. All rights of citizens are guaranteed in the Constitution,” Yunus commented, emphasizing the government’s commitment to ensuring equality and dignity for all citizens, as he communicated to The Daily Star.
In the wake of numerous attacks against Hindus and their places of worship following the ousting of Sheikh Hasina’s government in August last year, Yunus’s visit comes amid significant concerns within the community. He stated that the “most important goal of the new Bangladesh is to ensure equal rights for all citizens” and highlighted the necessity for creating an environment where individuals can celebrate their religious holidays without heightened security measures.
Yunus expressed his desire to share in the joy of the celebrations, noting that he would be overseas during the Durga Puja festivities. “That’s why I came here earlier to share the happiness with you,” he remarked.
