Home Affairs Adviser Brigadier General (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain has said that a recommendation will be made for at least a three-day holiday for Durga Puja, the largest religious festival for the Hindu community.
He said this when the top leaders of the Bangladesh National Hindu Grand Alliance met him at the conference room of the Home Ministry.
Regarding the demand of the Hindu community, the home adviser said: “I have spoken with them. I have assured them that I will definitely discuss this matter. Durga Puja is their biggest festival. I have told them that I will strongly recommend from this ministry that there should be a three-day holiday for Durga Puja. Even if that doesn't happen, there should at least be a two-day holiday. Because, with just one day's holiday, those who work can’t attend.”
Meanwhile, Religious Affairs Adviser AFM Khalid Hossain said: “Those who have attacked places of worship of religious minorities are essentially criminals. We will make every effort to bring these criminals to justice under the law.”
He further said: “The chief adviser will hold a meeting with religious minority leaders on Tuesday afternoon. Additionally, the Ministry of Religious Affairs is working to launch a hotline by today (Monday). If information about attacks on religious minorities is reported through this number, action will be taken via the Ministry of Home Affairs.”