PM pledges equal rights regardless of religion or identity

From 8 October 2026 — Daily Brief

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has pledged that religion, race or identity should not stand in the way of any Bangladeshi citizen’s rights or opportunities.

He made the remarks at a meeting with representatives of Hindu and Buddhist communities at the Secretariat on 7 October, saying the government’s objective was equal rights and dignity for every citizen.

During the meeting, the government approved Tk 5 crore for the Hindu Religious Welfare Trust in connection with Durga Puja and Tk 3 crore for the Buddhist Religious Welfare Trust for the Kathin Chibar Dan festival.

Representatives also discussed religious observances and community concerns with the prime minister. The meeting came ahead of the extended Durga Puja holiday period approved by the Cabinet earlier in the week.

The statement sets out the government’s position on equal citizenship and minority rights. Its practical significance will depend on how public institutions enforce those commitments, particularly in policing, access to services, protection of places of worship and responses to communal violence or intimidation.

Bengal Brief treats the prime minister’s remarks as a policy commitment rather than evidence that unequal treatment has already been eliminated.