The Bangladesh Observer

13 May 2005
Minority leaders happy with change in social harmony

Religious communities in the country witnessed a significant progress and classic change in strengthening the social harmony among the communities under the present government, reports BSS.

The Hindu, Buddhist and Christian community leaders have hailed the government's stride particularly the effort of the Religious Affairs Ministry for making the welfare trusts vibrant and establishing religious rights of minorities and promoting inter-religion harmony.

"It would not be overstated if we say the country has attained a very outstanding progress as far as minority issues are concerned in recent years," said Mongal Chandra Chanda, secretary of the Bangladesh Hindu Religion Welfare Trust (BHRWT) in a recent interview with the news agency.

Secretary of the Buddhist Religion Welfare Trust (BBRWT) Sukomal Barua said, "We are very happy to note that Bangladeshi people are living in the country in a very peacefully situation. We have earned it and it is a great achievement of the nation".

Chitta Francis Rebeiro, a top leader of the Christian community praised the present government for its benevolence for the community saying its very kind feeling for the community was reflected with the first ever participation of state leaders in Easter Day function this year.

Mongal Chandra Chanda referred to the "Temple based library and children and mass education programme" undertaken by the present government with an outlay of Taka 17.30 crore. The very aim of the project is to eradicate illiteracy from minority community and strengthen their social position, he said.

Under the project, every district of the country will have a model library. Besides, one library would be established in each of the 460 upazilas, he said. Another project taken for welfare of the Hindu community is the project for involving the Hindu religious leaders in human resources development", he said.

Present government's feelings for the minorities has been reflected through the inclusion of the minority leaders in the District Law and Order Committee creating a unique opportunity for them to take part in the government activities, he said.

Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia was the first leader who introduced financial help for celebrating the Durga Puja in fiscal 1991-92, he said. When BNP was in power in 1991-96 it made the highest grant of Taka 4 crore for the trust for its fixed deposit fund. The present government has given Taka 3 crore this year for the fund, he added.

The religious ministry has given highest allocation of Taka 82 lakh for renovation and maintenance of shrines and places of worships of the Hindu community during the current fiscal. In addition, Taka 32 lakh was given for 750 mondirs, he said.

The present government has also taken initiatives for construction of the Hindu Religion Welfare Trust Complex at a cost of Taka 7.20 crore and legal step to protect the "Devottar Sampatti" (property dedictaed in the name of goddess). It has also taken steps for the development of the historical and important religious sites of the community.

The Buddhist community leader recalled the sanction of annual grants and allocations for renovations and maintenance of the age-old monasteries of the Buddhist community particularly for the development of Central Bihar and Tourist Centre in Patuakhali.

Terming some sporadic incidents after general election in 2001, he said, it was very unfortunate to colour those incidents as communal. Criminals had harmed the society taking the advantage of poor law and order during that transitional period, he said.

"Criminals are always criminals and more or less every party give shelter to the criminals," he said adding, "a criminal activity should not be given a political colour".

He said President Zia and Begum Khaleda Zia visited the complex and Badda Buddhist Monastery several times displaying their love for the community.

He recalled that President Zia had included reverent Bishudhananda Mohathero in his entourage during his visit to Sri Lanka in 1979. He said the present government has substantially worked for improving relations of Bangladesh with the Buddhist nations.

Referring to various projects and support for the Buddhist community, he said a project for construction of the cemetery for Buddhist community at a cost of Taka 11 crore is in the final stage.

Chitta Francis Rebeiro said, the proposed committee of the Bangladesh Christian Religion Welfare Trust (BCRWT) is waiting for Prime Minister's approval. He said the present government for the first time has decided to renovate the 15th century's Saint Nicolas Church in Gazipur and giving financial support for the maintenance of many churches across the country.