As the major Hindu festival Durga Puja nears, tensions are increasing among the minority Hindu population in Bangladesh. Extreme Islamic organizations are against the public observance of the festival, as well as the idea of having countrywide holidays during the festival.
Radical groups oppose public celebration of Durga Puja in Bangladesh
Lately, radical organizations organized a protest in Dhaka’s Sector 13, objecting to Hindus using a playground for Durga Puja festivities that they have been holding there for many years.
A group named Insaf Keemkari Chhatra-Janta demonstrated with signs in Bangla stating: “Stop blocking roads for worship, avoid polluting water with idol immersion, and refrain from idol worship”.
The group has additionally put forth a 16-point request, advocating for limitations on public worship displays and idol immersions due to worries about harm to the environment. Their requests also involve forbidding the blocking of roads for religious occasions and ensuring that government aid money is not used for festival costs.
Insaf Keemkari Chhatra-Janta asserts that public holidays for Durga Puja should not be granted since Hindus represent less than two percent of the population and it disrupts the lives of the Muslim majority. They argue that for religious reasons, Muslims should not participate in Hindu festivals.
Their request also involves the removal of temples “built by occupying many special lands in Bangladesh”.
“Since India is the national enemy of Bangladesh, the Hindu citizens of Bangladesh must also agree to be anti-India. For this reason, anti-India banners and anti-India slogans should be kept in temples,” another demand reads.
Also read: VHP urges Modi govt to ensure Hindus’ safety in Bangladesh
More acts of vandalism and attacks against Hindus reported
The Hindu community is becoming more worried about these changes as they get ready to celebrate Durga Puja with added tension. The community has been experiencing more attacks since the previous government led by Sheikh Hasina fell.
While Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser of the interim government of Bangladesh, assures safety and security, the situation remains tense.
Incidents of temple vandalism and idol destruction, especially in areas like Khulna, have contributed to increasing concerns.
