Religious harmony exists in Bangladesh, said Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday after holding a meeting with Hindu community leaders in the capital. He explained that the discussion was held with the Sitakunda Shrine Committee regarding development work at the shrine, where several issues had remained unresolved for a long time. He noted that earlier governments had not addressed these concerns, but the current administration has now taken steps to resolve them. The meeting was attended by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Religious Affairs Bijon Kanti Sarkar and representatives of the shrine committee.

According to Alamgir, the issues have now been settled, and instructions have already been given to the Local Government Secretary to take necessary action. He further stated that he does not believe there are any major challenges regarding communal harmony in the country, adding that Bangladesh enjoys overall religious peace, although some individuals may attempt to create tension.

The discussion also touched on concerns related to perceived disrespect toward Lord Ram and tensions surrounding the construction of a large Ram statue. Officials said they are in ongoing communication with those involved and are working to resolve the matter through dialogue. Bijon Kanti Sarkar added that several long-pending issues affecting minority communities are now being reviewed. He said that while previous efforts had limited success, the current government has begun actively working on solutions and the results will become clearer over time.

Hindu community representatives said they raised multiple development concerns during the meeting, including improvements at Chandranath Dham, which attracts millions of devotees during Shiv Chaturdashi. They expressed hope that the promised development work, including renovation of facilities and infrastructure, would be completed soon.

They also highlighted broader issues such as mob violence, demands for stronger protection of religious sites, and the need for a dedicated commission to prevent communal incidents. Additionally, they called for the establishment of a Sanskrit and Pali Education Board and requested prayer spaces for minority students in every university. Community leaders said they are optimistic about the government’s response and expect meaningful progress in addressing their concerns, while also looking forward to continued dialogue and cooperation with authorities.