A letter from the workplace of the President of Bangladesh to varied ministries and departments requesting particulars in regards to the Hindu faith. Officers holding positions equivalent to secretaries and joint secretaries triggered panic. Nevertheless, sources mentioned An administrative error triggered the confusion and data was sought relating to it. an annual Durga Puja dashami occasion organised by the President.
The letter has triggered alarm amid reviews of discrimination and assaults on members of minority communities following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina following mass scholar protests. Greater than 500 folks had been killed within the weeks-long violence and several other Hindu temples had been vandalised.
India Right this moment has verified the letter with senior officers within the Bangladesh authorities. The Ministry of Textiles and Jute has additionally despatched an analogous letter looking for the names of Indian officers holding senior positions.
Sources clarified that this was a routine letter to replace the record of Hindu officers for an annual Durga Puja occasion organised by the President of Bangladesh. This record is up to date yearly because of promotions, transfers and retirements.
Nevertheless, when the ministries despatched the letter to their respective departments, they omitted the precise purpose, resulting in widespread confusion and concern.
Adviser to the Ministry of Textiles and Jute, retired Brigadier Common Shakhawat Hossain, confirmed the authenticity of the letter however mentioned a clerical error led to a lapse in communication, resulting in pointless panic.
Hossain advised India Right this moment: “It was a routine train to replace the record and ship it to the President’s workplace for the aim of sending an invite to Hindu authorities officers for Durga Puja Dashmi, which is organised by the President yearly.”
Hossain defined that the unique letter from the President’s workplace talked about the intention to ask Hindu officers to the non secular occasion. Nevertheless, this element was misplaced in subsequent departmental communications.
“The letter initially despatched by the President was a reference letter mentioning an invite to Durga Puja, whereas whereas sending it in a unique communication letter to the ministry, the official omitted to say the aim for which the official can be reprimanded,” he added.
He mentioned the federal government has taken corrective measures to keep away from additional misunderstandings.
