Stay alert against rumour, misinformation to protect communal harmony: Home Minister

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has urged the public to remain alert against rumours and misinformation on social media.

“Stay alert as attempts are being made to undermine communal harmony by spreading false and misleading information,” he said.

The minister made the remarks today while addressing an exchange meeting with Buddhist religious leaders at the conference room of the Ministry of Home Affairs at Bangladesh Secretariat here, ahead of the upcoming Prabarana Purnima on 25 October and the month-long Kathin Chibar Dan festival.

The Home Minister said the government is committed to protecting religious harmony and ensuring that people of all faiths can observe their religious festivals freely, peacefully and safely.

He assured the Buddhist community of the highest security measures and all-out cooperation from the Ministry of Home Affairs during the upcoming celebrations.

Emphasising the need to prevent misinformation from triggering communal tension, Ahmed called on people not to believe or spread rumours without verification.

He noted that personal disputes, land-related conflicts or disagreements within religious institution management committees are sometimes portrayed as communal attacks to spread misleading narratives.

The minister warned that such attempts to create confusion and disrupt communal harmony would be dealt with firmly, adding that no one involved in unlawful activities would be spared.

He also said that security and surveillance measures had been strengthened at Durga Puja venues, including the use of body-worn cameras, CCTV cameras and app-based monitoring.

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Police monitoring cells are keeping the overall situation under continuous observation to maintain law and order.

Referring to the upcoming Buddhist festivals, he said special vigilance had been directed in areas with significant Buddhist communities, including Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, the three hill districts of Khagrachhari, Rangamati and Bandarban, as well as Patuakhali, Cumilla, Noakhali and Rangpur.

Authorities have been instructed to ensure that the traditional lantern-flying celebrations and other religious activities pass off peacefully.

The minister expressed optimism that Prabarana Purnima and Kathin Chibar Dan would be celebrated in a peaceful and festive atmosphere, similar to the ongoing Durga Puja celebrations.

Buddhist religious leaders attending the meeting highlighted the spiritual significance of Prabarana Purnima, self-restraint, purification of the mind and the traditions of lantern flying and Kathin Chibar Dan.

They also informed the minister that a list of Buddhist monasteries across the country would be provided to the ministry for coordination with law enforcement agencies and local administrations.

Buddhist religious leaders were present.