Hindu community seeks three-day Durga Puja holiday

‎Bangla Press Desk:   Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad on Thursday demanded extension of Durga Puja holidays to three days.

The discussions were held in a cordial and sincere atmosphere focusing on issues faced by the Hindu community, Santosh Sharma, General Secretary Puja Udjapan Parishad, told reporters after meeting the Prime Minister at Secretariat on Thursday.

The Prime Minister listened to their concerns attentively and assured gradual resolution, he said.

Sharma said they placed a number of demands including reforms to the Vested Property Act, establishment of a foundation in place of the Hindu Religious Welfare Trust, formulation of a minority protection law, creation of a separate ministry and commission for minorities.

They also called for withdrawal of what they described as false and harassment cases filed against members of the community after August 5 and demanded proportional representation of minorities in all sectors of national life.

The organisation further sought justice for incidents of killings, looting and vandalism allegedly triggered by misinformation spread on social media platforms, he said.