Minority welfare, rights protection to get highest priority: Mirza Fakhrul

Local Government, Rural Development (LGRD) and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday expressed hope that the government would accord the highest priority to the welfare of ethnic and religious minority communities and ensure the protection of their rights.

He made the remarks during a meeting with a delegation from the Sitakunda Shrine Committee at his office in the Secretariat.

The Prime Minister’s Hindu, Buddhist, Christian and Ethnic Affairs Special Assistant and Bangladesh Hindu, Buddhist and Christian Welfare Front Bijon Kanti Sarkar was also present on the occasion.

The LGRD minister said that a particular group has always tried to portray the BNP as being against people of other faiths. However, historically, the BNP has consistently worked to protect the rights of followers of all religions, he added. 

“We will ensure equal opportunities and facilities for people of all faiths and involve everyone in the country’s development,” he said.

During the meeting, leaders of the Sitakunda Shrine Committee informed the minister about various difficulties faced by devotees travelling to the sacred pilgrimage site of Chandranath Dham in Sitakunda, Chattogram.

Mirza Fakhrul instructed the relevant authorities to take necessary measures for the construction of stairs leading to Chandranath Dham, the renovation of the temple, and the development of surrounding infrastructure.

Local Government Division Secretary Md Shahidul Hassan and senior officials of the ministry, among others, were also present at the meeting.