Amid unrest, Muhammad Yunus greets Hindus on Janmashtami, promises interfaith harmony

In a significant gesture towards interfaith unity, Bangladesh’s interim government chief, Muhammad Yunus, hosted a reception for the Hindu community on Monday, coinciding with Janmashtami. The move came in the wake of recent violence that has severely impacted the Hindu minority. Following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India on August 5, Hindu businesses, properties, and temples were vandalised during the unrest.

Addressing the gathering, Yunus emphasised the need for unity, stating, "There can't be any divisions among people in our country. We are equal citizens. The interim government is determined to protect the rights of every citizen of the country." He pledged to create a Bangladesh where every individual can practice their faith without fear, asserting, “Bangladesh is a large family where the responsibility of the government is to protect the rights of every citizen.”

The reception saw prominent figures such as Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad president Bashudeb Dhar, Ramkrishna Mission of Dhaka’s principal Swami Purnatmananda Maharaj, and community leaders Kajol Debnath and Monindra Kumar Nath in attendance. Dhar, reflecting on the meeting, noted that Yunus reiterated that "all Bangladeshis are members of a single family," and expressed a commitment to eradicating communalism.

Hindu leaders expressed their hopes for increased harmony and praised Yunus’s recent remarks at Dhakeshwari Mandir, highlighting the positive impact on fostering a non-communal society. They also raised concerns about property disputes and temple land issues.