Prime Minister Tarique Rahman stepped into the Radha Gobinda Temple in Rangpur on Oct 20, 2026, amid the first wave of Durga Puja celebrations. The 5‑crore‑taka grant announced earlier this month and the five‑day holiday for government employees marked a policy shift toward minority inclusion. BSS recorded his arrival as part of a nationwide outreach.
Rangpur, a northern stronghold of the hard‑line Bangladesh Jamaat‑E‑Islami, has seen sporadic attacks on Hindu worshippers. By visiting the temple, Rahman aimed to demonstrate the Bangladesh Nationalist Party's commitment to protecting minority communities, especially after the 2025 elections saw Jamaat sweep all seats in the area. The move also positions the BN against the Awami League's dominance.
During the ceremony, Rahman exchanged greetings with priests and devotees, hand‑shaking with the temple's senior priest, and delivered a brief speech underscoring equal citizenship. He added that every Bangladeshi, regardless of faith, deserves equal treatment. The Prime Minister also scheduled visits to the Puja Mandaps in Rajshahi and Chattogram on the same day.
The Dhakeshwari Temple, Bangladesh's national shrine, has been a symbol of unity since the partition, when its stone idol was relocated to Kumartuli. Former prime ministers Sheikh Hasina and interim adviser Muhammad Yunus have also visited the site, though Yunus missed the actual celebrations in 2025 to attend the UN General Assembly. The Radha Gobinda Temple, founded centuries ago, serves not only religious functions but also hosts cultural events for the region's Hindu populace.
The government now plans to oversee 33,851 Durga Puja celebrations nationwide, and officials will brief the media on security protocols next week. The Prime Minister's outreach is expected to influence the upcoming parliamentary debate on minority protection measures.