The government has directed the relevant ministries, administration and law enforcement agencies to take all necessary measures to ensure peaceful, festive and safe celebrations of the upcoming Durga Puja.
The authorities have also been asked to maintain communal harmony, prevent rumours and ensure prompt legal action through impartial investigations in the event of any untoward incident.
The directives were issued at an inter-ministerial preparatory meeting held at the Ministry of Religious Affairs on Tuesday morning. State Minister for Religious Affairs Mohammad Shamim Kaiser chaired the meeting.
The state minister said the government is committed to ensuring a safe and festive environment for Durga Puja, the largest religious festival of the Hindu community. He also stressed ensuring the proper distribution of grants allocated by the Prime Minister’s Office to Puja mandaps across the country through the Puja Welfare Trust.
Noting the increase in the number of Puja mandaps, he instructed local administrations and law enforcement agencies to remain vigilant and ensure proper management and security during idol immersion.
He called for continuing the longstanding practice of maintaining necessary silence during azan and prayer times to uphold social and religious harmony. He also urged people to refrain from making derogatory remarks about the deities of other religions.
The state minister directed authorities not to cover up any untoward incident but to conduct impartial investigations and take action against those responsible.
“We do not want to remain in the denial stage,” he said, stressing that no premature comments should be made about an offender’s identity or motive and that the facts should be established through investigation before taking action.
He also instructed authorities to promptly verify old or edited photos and videos used to spread rumours on social media. He called on intelligence agencies and law enforcement bodies to play an effective role in countering rumours and urged socially conscious young people to help disseminate accurate information.
He said public confidence in maintaining communal harmony would grow if swift investigations were followed by strict and exemplary punishment under the law for criminal offences.
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (state minister rank) Bijon Kanti Sarker, Religious Affairs Secretary Munsi Alauddin Al Azad, representatives of various ministries and agencies, intelligence agencies, the Hindu Buddhist Christian Welfare Front, welfare trusts and Puja Celebration Council attended the meeting.