The government will not allow any evil communal forces to raise their ugly heads and disturb harmony between communities, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said on Thursday.
Quader, also the ruling Awami League general secretary, issued the warning visiting Ramkrishna Mission puja mandap in the city.
“Evil groups and extremist communal forces have carried out attacks on Hindu temples in 10 to 12 places and vandalised houses of Hindu people as the election is looming,” he said.
Calling upon the people of the country to keep communal unity and harmony, he said “Those who don’t like the country’s development and peaceful celebration of puja, the biggest festival of Hindu community, are trying to push the country backwards by destroying communal harmony in many ways. One of them is to create Hindu-Muslim enmity. ”
He also urged the people to remain watchful about malicious efforts to spread rumours about this issue.
“Do not pay heed to a section of people spreading rumours on social media to incite communal tensions,” he added.
The AL leader said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has directed the administration to take measures against the conspiracy of communal forces and asked people to stay calm and safe.
Stating that extremist communal groups are trying to destroy the peace of the country, he expressed concern that the fallout of the attacks may linger even after immersion of the deity. The government will be alert to face any unwanted situation.