Strict directive to prevent attacks, rumours during Durga Puja

Necessary preparations have been directed to be taken by the concerned ministries, administration and law enforcement agencies for celebrating the upcoming Sharadiya Durga Puja in a peaceful, festive and safe environment. At the same time, importance has been given to maintaining communal harmony, preventing rumours and taking rapid legal measures through neutral investigation if any unwanted incident occurs.

These directives were given at an inter-ministerial preparatory meeting organised at the Ministry of Religious Affairs on Tuesday (September 29) morning. State Minister for Religious Affairs Mohammad Shamim Kaiser presided over the meeting held in the ministry’s conference room.

At the meeting, the state minister said that the government is determined to ensure the celebration of Durga Puja, the main religious festival of the Sanatan community, in a safe and festive environment. He also urged ensuring that the donation allocated from the Prime Minister’s Office reaches all mandaps of the country properly through the Puja Kalyan Trust.

Mentioning that the number of puja mandaps has increased in the country, the state minister directed the local administration and law enforcement agencies to remain cautious in management and overall security during the immersion of idols.

He called for continuing the long-standing practice of maintaining necessary silence during azan and namaz to uphold communal harmony. Alongside, he also emphasised refraining from derogatory comments about the objects of worship of other religions.

The state minister directed that if any unwanted incident occurs, measures should be taken against the offenders through neutral investigation without covering it up. He said, “We do not want to remain in the denial stage.” He emphasised ensuring punishment by bringing out the actual incident through investigation without making prior comments about the identity or purpose of the offender.

Directive was also given for rapid verification of authenticity if attempts are made to spread rumours by using old or edited photos and videos on social media. The state minister called upon the intelligence agencies and law enforcement agencies to play an effective role in preventing rumours as well as the conscious youth community to come forward in spreading correct information.

He said that people’s confidence in protecting communal harmony will increase if strict and exemplary punishment is ensured rapidly as per law after investigation in any incident of crime.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (status of state minister) Bijon Kanti Sarkar (for Hindu, Buddhist, Christian and ethnic affairs), Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs Munshi Alauddin Al Azad, representatives of various ministries and organisations, intelligence agencies, Hindu Buddhist Christian Kalyan Front, Kalyan Trust and Puja Udjapan Parishad participated in the meeting.