Hindu association protests inadequate budget allocation for minorities

The Bangladesh National Hindu Grand Alliance staged a sit-in in front of the National Press Club demanding the allocation of only 1.93% for minorities in the 2021-22 budget be reconsidered.

At the human chain held on Friday morning, they also demanded an adequate allocation to eliminate discrimination against minorities and the construction of at least one model temple in each district.

Speakers at the rally said the money allocated by the Ministry of Religion in the proposed 2021-22 budget is discrimination against religious minorities.

They also said they do not accept this discriminatory budget, terming it "very sad and humiliating" for them.

In 2017, then finance minister Abdul Muhith, announced a lump sum allocation of Tk3,000 crore to eliminate the existing inequality. Some partial projects are currently underway across the country with an allocation of Tk200 crore, but since then no new funds have been allocated in the budget, they said.

The budget does not consistently reflect the development of post-independence, deprived religious minorities treated unequally. The spirit of the liberation war and equal rights is absent in this budget.

"Looking at this budget, it does not seem Hindus have any rights, let alone equal rights. The allocation for religious minorities in this budget has disappointed us. The alliance strongly condemns and oppose this budget and seek the intervention of the prime minister to reconsider it."

The speakers added that they have repeatedly said they have been victims of state discrimination but this has not been taken into consideration in this budget. Although there is a special allocation in this budget for the religious development of the majority community in various projects, there is no allocation for the religious development of the Hindu community.

They said, looking at this budget, it would seem there are no Hindus in the country, which is an "insult to us by the state," and they demand reconsideration of this budget.

Chief Coordinator of the alliance Shyamal Kumar Ranya presided over the function.

Among others, Prabhas Mandal, co-president of the alliance, Palash Kanti Dey, its executive secretary general, and spokesperson of the alliance, Akhil, spoke on the occasion.