Hindu community requests 3-day Durga Puja holiday

Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad on Thursday called for extending Durga Puja holidays to three days, highlighting broader concerns affecting the Hindu community.

Speaking to reporters after meeting the Prime Minister at Secretariat, Santosh Sharma, General Secretary of the Parishad, said the discussion took place in a cordial atmosphere and focused on issues faced by the community. 

He added that the Prime Minister listened attentively and assured gradual resolution of their concerns.

The delegation presented several key demands, including reforms to the Vested Property Act, replacement of the Hindu Religious Welfare Trust with a new foundation, enactment of a minority protection law and the creation of a separate ministry and commission for minority affairs.

They also urged the withdrawal of cases they described as false or harassing, filed against community members after August 5 and called for proportional representation of minorities across all sectors of national life.

Additionally, the organization sought justice for alleged incidents of killings, looting and vandalism, which they said were fuelled by misinformation spread on social media platforms.

SH