Jumbangla Desk: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said that India's complaint regarding the worship of Bangladesh is baseless and unwarranted.

This information was informed in a circular on Monday (October 14).

A statement by India's Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson drew the government's attention to "...call on the Government of Bangladesh to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities and their places of worship, especially during this auspicious festival," the release noted. The same statement alleges “…a systematic pattern of desecration and damage to temples and deities…”. The Government of Bangladesh considers such allegations baseless and claims unwarranted. With only a few incidents reported, government authorities acted swiftly throughout the festival to ensure the safety of Hindus and other minorities.

Communal harmony and peaceful coexistence remain a timeless feature of Bangladesh's liberalism and democracy, uniting all people. The Government of Bangladesh affirms that every person has the right to establish, practice or observe his own religious rites without hindrance, irrespective of his religion, creed or belief. This has been proved by the peaceful observance of Durga Puja in 32,000 pujamandaps spontaneously established across Bangladesh.

On October 10, a gold crown was confirmed stolen from the Jashoreswari Kali temple in Satkhira, a southern district of Bangladesh, after the head priest performed his regular puja until 2:30 in the afternoon. The crown was still intact inside the temple. An investigation is underway to determine why the priests and temple staff left such valuable property unguarded and unsecured. 4 people have already been arrested for their involvement in the theft. It is the duty of the Government of Bangladesh to ensure the safety and security of all citizens in Bangladesh, especially members of religious minority communities.

Upholding the rights of every citizen regardless of identity, religion or belief is recognized as an internal matter of Bangladesh. The Interim Government wishes to assure the international community that it is making every effort to uphold the longstanding secular and inclusive credentials of the people of Bangladesh.