The incident at Nanuar Digir par (bank) temple in Cumilla city was politically motivated. In the past, those who have spread various rumours about the Padma Bridge have now conspired to destroy communal harmony.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud said this while exchanging views with journalists in the meeting room of the ministry on Thursday afternoon.
Dr Hassan Mahmud said, "The government is determined to give exemplary punishment to those who caused this incident and spread rumours about it. I would ask members of the Hindu community in the country to celebrate puja fearlessly and ensure that the peace-loving people and the government are beside you.”
The Information Minister said the communal harmony that has been established in Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is an example for many countries. This country has been established in exchange for the blood of people from all religions. However, those who had opposed the formation of the country and those who opposed its development under the leadership of the Prime Minister do not want communal harmony in Bangladesh.
The minister also said that many locals stated that the Qur'an is said to have been found on the bank of Nanuar Dighi in Cumilla. The temple was closed at night, there were no people, and the lights were off. Police are investigating who or what caused the incident in that situation.
"It is clear that the motive of the incident was political and indented to create a conspiracy by people who are involved in misdeeds. It is being investigated and the correct information will come out soon," he said.
Hasan Mahmud further said that when the work on the pillars of the Padma Bridge started, rumours were spread that human sacrifices had to be made for the Padma Bridge. Rumours of kidnapping were spread and many innocent people were killed.
“Those who said that construction of the Padma Bridge would not be possible during the tenure of this government created conspiracies. However, the allegations were proved to be untrue. The same group is involved in this indecent attempt to destroy communal harmony,” said the minister.
Regarding the government’s response on the matter, he said that police and other law enforcement agencies tried to normalise the tense situation that erupted in Cumilla and elsewhere in the country on Wednesday. The situation is under complete control now. People should not spread any kinds of rumour through social media. Spreading such rumours will be subjected to exemplary punishment.
The Information Minister requested all the people of the Hindu community to celebrate the festival without any hindrance and promised full support of the people and the government as well.