No scope for fascists or fugitive criminals to carry out any mischief in Bangladesh: Home Minister
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmad has said that no fascist force, fugitive criminal or perpetrator of genocide will be allowed to carry out any kind of mischief in Bangladesh. He made the remark while answering a question during a briefing with journalists at the Home Ministry in the Secretariat this afternoon, held over the peaceful holding of Durga Puja.
At the briefing, a question was raised about a rumour circulating on social media — that ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina would return in December. It was in reply to that question that the minister set out the government's firm position.
On bringing Sheikh Hasina back, the Home Minister said that, under the extradition treaty, request letters had been sent to the neighbouring country multiple times to have her returned. In his words, 'Our position is clear.'
About Durga Puja, the minister said the festival had been completed peacefully and that the law and order situation during this time was fully under control.
He said it had been possible this time to set a bright example of religious harmony during Durga Puja. According to him, with everyone's cooperation it will be possible to maintain such an environment in the days ahead as well.
Drawing a comparison with the past, the minister said that over the previous 15–17 years, various unpleasant incidents and acts destroying religious harmony had been staged around Durga Puja. The present government, he said, has been able to free itself from that malpractice.
The minister also gave figures on the scale of this year's celebrations. He said this year saw the highest number of puja mandaps across the country — a total of 33,851 mandaps held puja in 2026.
On government assistance, he said the government previously allocated a maximum of Tk 4 crore; this time it has been raised to Tk 5 crore.
He also said there were five days of holiday for the puja this time, and the rice allocation for puja mandaps had been raised to 600 kilograms.
