DHAKA, Apr 13: Amid allegations of a rise in Islamic radicalism under the Interim Government, Chief Advisor Mohd Yunus attended a function at the International Buddhist Monastery in Dhaka today, and urged the people of Bangladesh to celebrate the Pohela Boisakh festivities tomorrow as per their traditional customs.
Chief Advisor Yunus laid the foundation stone of the Sampriti Bhaban at the International Buddhist Monastery in Dhaka as Chief Guest, at the function organised by the Bangladesh Buddhist Federation.
The ceremony was presided over by Deputy Sangharaja Venerable Shrimat Dharmapriya Mahathera, with Religious Affairs Advisor Dr AFM Khalid Hossain and Chattogram Hill Tracts Affairs Advisor Supradip Chakma in attendance, along with others, according to The Daily Star.
The CA later visited the main prayer hall and the monastery.
In a message, Yunus urged everyone to follow the Pohela Boishakh festivities in accordance with their traditional religious-cultural customs and beliefs, in a display of the country’s diversity and spirit of unity.
“Tomorrow, Pahela Baishakh. It’s one of the symbols of our harmony. Everyone will celebrate tomorrow (Pahela Baishakh) in their own way, following their own customs. Everyone will participate in this universal festival,” he said in a nationwide address, according to The Daily Star.
“I have always said that despite our different beliefs, religions, and customs, we are all members of one family.
“The Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, Christians, various communities and the peoples of the hills and plains of this country – all together, the people of this country have diverse languages, cultures and traditions,” he said.
Yunus’ attending the Buddhist event comes as a welcome move for the religious minorities, especially Hindus, of Bangladesh who have been facing targeted attacks by Islamic fundamentalists.
The Chakma people are predominantly located in the Chattogram Hill Tracts and have been adherents of Buddhism. Several instances of discrimination and violence against the Chakmas by Islamic radicals have been reported.
There have been allegations that Islamic extremism has been allowed to grow unchecked under the army-backed Interim Government led by CA Yunus, following ex-PM Sheikh Hasina’s ouster in August 2024.
The upcoming Bangla New Year celebrations have not been without controversy, as Dhaka University renamed the annual ‘Mongol Shobhajatra’ ceremony, which marks the beginning of the Pohela Boishakh festivities, as ‘Anondo Shobhajatra’ under pressure from the radical Hefazat-e-Islam outfit, which called the term ‘Mongol’ part of a “Hindu ritual”. (UNI)
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