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DHAKA, Aug 18, 2021 (BSS) - State Minister for Religious Affairs Md Faridul Haque Khan today urged all to be aware of those who are destroying communal harmony in the country.

"Everyone should be aware of those who are destroying communal harmony in the country. The government is very vigilant against militancy and terrorist activities," he said.

The state minister was speaking as the chief guest at a special prayer meeting seeking eternal peace of souls of Bangabandhu, Bangamata and other martyred members of their family at Siddheshwari Temple in the city.

The event was organized by the Hindu Religious Welfare Trust where  the state minister also distributed food among the poor, helpless and unemployed people.

Faridul said a non-communal Bangladesh was a dream of Father of Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Bangabandhu's soul will get peace if Bangladesh is established based on communal harmony, he  added.

The state minister further said that Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had included the principle of 'Secularism' in the constitution of Bangladesh with the aim of establishing a non-communal 'Sonar Bangla'.

The communal harmony of this country is a role model for the world, he said, adding that Bangladesh must continue to move forward under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina by uniting and maintaining religious harmony.

During the 2009-2021 period under the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the fixed capital of the Hindu Religious Welfare Trust has been increased from Taka 21 crore to Tk 100 crore, he said.
 
For the first time, 1,812 monasteries / temples / crematoriums renovation projects are being implemented across the country at a cost of Taka 228 crore for the renovation and development of temples and religious institutions of the Sanatan dharmabolombi, he continued.

He said a total of 199 monasteries / temples / crematoriums are being renovated in Chattogram, Gopalganj and Habiganj districts including Dhakeshwari National Temple and Siddheshwari Temple under three programmes at a cost of Tk 23 cr.

A grant of Taka 14 crore 91 lakh 25 thousand 350 has been provided for the renovation / development of 14,324 monasteries / temples / ashrams and crematoriums from 2009 to 2020 through the Hindu Religious Welfare Trust, he said.

With Hindu Religious Welfare Trust Vice Chairman Subrata Pal in the chair, the event was attended, among others, by Senior Vice Chairman of Hindu Religious Welfare Trust Manoranjan Sheel, MP, Awami League cultural affairs secretary Asim Kumar Ukil,MP, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister and Office Secretary of Awami League Barrister Biplab Barua, AL Relief and Social Welfare Secretary Sujit Roy Nandi, Swechhasebok League president Nirmal Ranjan Guha, Siddheshwari Sarbojonin Puja Parishad President Jayant Kumar Dev and Secretary of the Hindu Religious Welfare Trust Dr Dilip Kumar Ghosh.