Hindu religious leaders have invited Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus to inspect the puja mandap on the occasion of the upcoming Durga Puja.
On Monday (September 15, 2025) afternoon, leaders of various puja celebration councils met the Chief Advisor at the State Guest House Jamuna.
In the meeting, the Chief Advisor said, “Although I always want to meet you, I do not have the opportunity. On the occasion of puja, I have the opportunity to meet face to face and talk once a year.”
At this time, the Chief Advisor wanted to know about the preparations for Durga Puja and the overall situation.
Hindu religious leaders said that more than one thousand puja mandap have increased this year compared to last year. The work of preparing puja mandap across the country is in full swing.
They said that all kinds of cooperation is being provided by all parties of the interim government for this year’s puja. They especially thanked the advisor and secretary of the Ministry of Religion.
The leaders said that the religious advisor is in regular contact with us and visits the temple. Maximum cooperation is being provided by all parties of the administration to make Durga Puja festive. We hope that the puja will be celebrated smoothly like last time due to their tireless efforts.
At this time, Jayanta Kumar Deb, President of the Metropolitan Puja Committee, specially thanked the Chief Advisor for allocating land for the permanent Durga temple by the Ministry of Railways.
He said, ‘This is a historic event. Special thanks to you for this. You have been keeping us informed regularly since you took charge. Like last year, we got two days off for puja this year too. Special thanks to you for this. You visited the Dhakeshwari temple immediately after returning to the country on August 8 last year. You said, we are all one family. Your speech has deeply inspired us.’
Bangladesh Puja Celebration Council President Basudeb Dhar said, ‘Last year, while visiting Dhakeshwari Temple during Durga Puja, you said, we do not want a country where worship is held under strict security guard. This is the first time we have heard such a statement from a head of government. We also agree with your statement, we also want everyone to cooperate in this arrangement, and there should be cordial relations between everyone in the country. Your speech has always inspired us. This is the first time we have seen such cordial behavior from a head of government.’
Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Kalyan Front Secretary General S. N. Tarun Dey said, ‘You have set an example of communal harmony in the country during your tenure. We have noticed that a lot of lies and fake news are being spread, especially through social media, for the past one year. We wish that all the people of Bangladesh, regardless of religion, caste, or ethnicity, will be well-off under your leadership.’
Religious Advisor Dr. A.F.M. Khalid Hossain told the meeting, ‘The Ministry of Religion represents all religions. We ensure welfare programs through the Welfare Trust. A temple is being built in Tahirpur, Sunamganj on the initiative of the ministry. Stairs are being built for a bathroom in another temple. We are trying to help as much as possible those who have indigent temples, pagodas, and churches. We are trying our best to provide assistance to indigent people, especially widows. There are also plans to provide assistance to orphanages.’
The Chief Advisor expressed his sincere thanks to everyone and wished them well in advance for the puja and urged everyone to be vigilant so that no opportunity for any conspiracy is created around Durga Puja.
Religious Advisor Dr. A.F.M. Khalid Hossain, Primary and Mass Education Advisor Professor Dr. Bidhan Ranjan Roy Poddar, Vice Chairman of Hindu Religious Welfare Trust Tapan Chandra Majumdar and Secretary Debendra Nath Urao, Principal of Ramakrishna Math and Mission Swami Purnaanand (Single), President of Bangladesh Puja Udjavan Parishad Basudeb Dhar, President of Metropolitan Puja Committee Jayanta Kumar Deb, President of Bangladesh National Hindu Samaj Sanskar Samiti Professor Hirendranath Biswas, President of Sri Sri Gita Hari Sangha Dev Mandir Sri Biman Bihari Talukder, Secretary General of Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Welfare Front SN Tarun De, Convener of Bangladesh Puja Udjavan Front Aparna Roy Das, General Secretary of Sri Sri Siddheshwari Kali Mandir Narayan Chandra Dutta and General Secretary of Siddheshwari Sarvajanin Puja Parishad Pranitha Sarkar.
