‘Bangladesh committed to safety of Hindus, peaceful Durga Puja testimony’

• ‘Bangladesh committed to safety of Hindus, peaceful Durga Puja testimony’
• Sheikh Hasina government was extra cautious during Durga Puja to avoid any untoward incident this year: Bangladesh Information Minister Hasan Mahmud
• Indo-Bangla relationship is not just dependent on the two countries’ Teesta water-sharing arrangement
• Mahmud accused the BNP and their allies of supporting the fanatics groups, who causes ruckus and tensions in the country

Kolkata: Stressing on the shared values of peace and prosperity of all citizens irrespective their religious affiliation, Bangladesh Information Minister Hasan Mahmud on Saturday said that his country “is committed to the safety of its Hindu minorities”. He cited that the peaceful Durga Puja celebrations in the country this year is a testimony to it

Mahamud, who is in Kolkata to inaugurate Bangladesh Film Festival, said the Indo-Bangla relation is not dependent only on the Teesta water sharing agreement between the two nations, according to a Hindustan Times report. “The Sheikh Hasina government is committed to protecting the rights of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh. The recent peaceful Durga Puja celebration in the country is a testimony to it. This year the number of Durga Pujas held in Bangladesh is much higher than last year,” Mahmud said at a press conference at the Press Club in West Bengal capital.

He said the Sheikh Hasina government was extra cautious to avoid any untoward incident this year Durga Puja. “Those who had tried to create problems during Durga Puja stand exposed. We have taken special measures to ensure no untoward incident takes place,” he said.

Speaking on India-Bangladesh relations, the minister said more than the government to government relations it is the people-to-people associations between the two countries that have helped strengthen the diplomatic relations, reported the paper.

Separately speaking to ANI, Dr Mahmud accused the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and their allies of supporting the fanatics groups, who causes ruckus and tensions in the country. He said that they possess anti-anti and anti-hindu stance. “Our govt has taken tough action against the miscreants,” he added.

“Our bilateral relation is not only dependent on Teesta (Water sharing). Whenever I come to India, I am asked this question. Our relationship is diverse,” he added.

The Teesta river water agreement has been hanging fire for more than a decade due to opposition from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

-INDIA NEWS STREAM