TDS Desk:

Religious Adviser AFM Khalid Hossain on Saturday said madrasa students and local people would guard Hindu temples across the country during the upcoming 8-13 October Durga Puja celebrations.

He made the remarks in an address to reporters before joining a meeting with leaders from different religious communities at the Rajshahi Islamic Foundation.

He termed the attacks on minorities in the wake of Awami League government’s fall as isolated events and assured that whoever was behind the attacks would be tried under existing laws.

Anyone who attacks mosques, temples, shrines and other religious establishments are enemies of humanity, he claimed.

However, Muslim houses and other establishments were also attacked after 5 August, and during every other occassion of government change in the course of Bangladesh’s history, meaning there is no scope to frame the attacks categorically as communal in nature, he claimed.

When asked about speculations over changing the national anthem, Khalid Hossain brushed off such concerns saying the interim government will not do anything that raises controversy.

About Indian defence minister Rajnath Singh’s instructions to the country’s military for preparing for a potential war with Bangladesh, Khalid Hossain said the interim government seeks friendly ties with India, and referred to the home ministry for further queries on the matter.