Tarique Rahman visits Durga Puja pavilions across Bangladesh with expanded minority grants
The Prime Minister visited Rangpur, Rajshahi and Chattogram while expanding state funding and official holidays for religious minorities.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visited Durga Puja venues across Rangpur, Rajshahi, and Chattogram on Tuesday, reassuring religious minorities that his administration will guarantee equal security and peaceful celebrations throughout the country.
Leaving Dhaka on Tuesday morning, Tarique Rahman began his tour at a Puja pavilion in Rangpur before travelling to the Dharmasabha Temple in Rajshahi. By Tuesday evening, he joined celebrations at JM Sen Hall in Rahmatganj, Chattogram, before returning to the capital.
Addressing worshippers during his visits, the Prime Minister emphasised that security and civil rights extend to all citizens regardless of faith or background.
"Religion is for individuals; the state belongs to everyone," Tarique Rahman said during his tour. "Religion is a personal choice; the right to security belongs to all."
Increased financial assistance and holiday extension
To support festival arrangements, the government increased its annual financial grant for Durga Puja from 4 crore taka to 5 crore taka. Bijon Kanti Sarkar, special assistant to the prime minister for minority affairs, stated that the Hindu Religious Welfare Trust had requested 4 crore taka, but the Prime Minister approved an enhanced allocation.
Tarique Rahman formally handed over the cheque on 7 October, alongside 3 crore taka earmarked for the Buddhist community's upcoming Kathin Chibar Dan festival.
| Beneficiary community | Festival | Financial allocation | Public holiday duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hindu community | Durga Puja | 5 crore taka | 3 days (20–22 October) |
| Buddhist community | Kathin Chibar Dan | 3 crore taka | Not disclosed |
In addition to financial assistance, an official government notification declared 20, 21, and 22 October as public holidays. Combined with the regular weekend on 23 and 24 October, state employees received five consecutive days off. The Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council welcomed the extended break, calling it a long-standing demand of religious minorities in the country.
Ensuring peaceful national celebrations
Press Secretary Saleh Shibly affirmed that law enforcement agencies took comprehensive security measures to maintain order across all celebration sites. The five-day festival concludes on 21 October with the immersion of idols on Bijoya Dashami.
The Prime Minister urged members of the Hindu community to celebrate with full confidence and joy, reaffirming his government's commitment to building a safe and democratic society for every citizen.
Key numbers
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Durga Puja grant | 5 crore taka | Special Assistant Bijon Kanti Sarkar |
| Kathin Chibar Dan grant | 3 crore taka | Bangladesh Government |
| Consecutive public holidays | 5 days | Government notification issued on 7 October |
In this story
| Name | Role in the story |
|---|---|
| Tarique Rahman | Prime Minister of Bangladesh who visited Durga Puja venues. |
