The government has proposed an allocation of Tk256m in the budget for fiscal year 2013-2014 for maintenance and rebuilding of temples that were damaged in the recent spate of attacks in Ramu and elsewhere in the country.
The government, however, in its budget proposal tabled yesterday did not mention any allocation for the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) affairs ministry and for the implementation of the CHT Accord.
The general secretary of Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Oikkyo Parishad, Rana Dash Gupta, welcomed the allocation for the damaged temples.
Also a prosecutor of the war crimes tribunal, Rana, however said: “The government needs to allocate money specifically for the protection of the non-Muslim people. It is possible through the religious affairs ministry too.”
Raja Devashish Roy, an expert member of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, told the Dhaka Tribune:
“Reconstruction of the vandalised temples will mean nothing if the government fails to ensure security of livelihood of the non-Muslim peoples.”
The chief of Chakma circle, Devashish, also expressed frustration as the government did not mention any specific amount allocated for the protection of indigenous culture, language and heritage.
