It seems every day is a new test for Bangladeshi Hindus. Now Durga Puja celebrations are under attack in the country as the Muhummad Yunus led government is in complete apathy, amid concerns over the safety of the community. As there are reports that radical Islamist groups are looking to dampen the festivities.
Bangladesh will mark Durga Puja from October 9 to 13. The first big Hindu event since the upheaval in the country that led to the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina government. A recent report claims that Muslim bodies have denied permission to the Hindu minority to celebrate Durga Puja citing poor security arrangements and threats. It has also mentioned vandalization of Durga idols at several places in Bangladesh.
A new idol of the deity was allegedly vandalised in Kishoreganj’s Batrish Gopinath Jiur Akhara on early Thursday. In the Comilla district, the Durga idol was damaged and the donation box at the temple was looted. Videos on social media showed radical groups in Bangladesh protesting against Durga Puja celebrations. They took to the streets, shouting slogans like “Pujo hote debo na” (won’t allow Durga Puja).
A radical Islamist group in Bangladesh has reportedly warned Hindus in the country against openly celebrating Durga Puja and taking part in idol worship or immersion. The radical group Insaf Keemkari Chhatra-Janta organised a protest last month. They presented a 16-point list detailing reasons for their opposition to the celebration. They claimed the Hindu festival created a nuisance for the Muslim majority in the country and also called for the removal of temples “built by occupying many special lands in Bangladesh”. The group also asked all temples to display anti-India banners and slogans.
Meanwhile, government sources have informed that the puja committees have been asked to pay Rs 5 lakh each as ‘jizya’ taxes via written communications ahead of the Durga Puja from October 9. They have also been told to observe silence during Namaaz times.
Durga Puja is the biggest festival of the year for the Bengali Hindu community, and is an embedded part of the local culture. It is a shame that the peaceful Hindu minority are being harassed for just celebrating their festival. In September this year, the Yunus-led government had suggested Durga Puja committees turn off their musical instruments and sound systems during azan and namaz, according to the Bangladeshi daily Dhaka Tribune.
Hindus’ safety in Bangladesh has became a big issue since Sheikh Hasina’s ouster. As per Indian Express, as many as 205 incidents of attacks on Hindus were recorded a week after the toppling of the Hasina government. Reports of vandalism of the businesses of Hindus, their properties and temples came to light in August. At the time, thousands of Hindus had hit the streets in Dhaka and the northeastern port city of Chattogram, demanding protection.
Hindus make up about 8 per cent of the population of Bangladesh, the community has been cut down significantly due to constant persecutions. From 20 per cent in 1971 to the current 8 per cent in just 50 years is a shocking stat. Now even the biggest and oldest cultural festivals of the region are under threat, while the Bangladesh Government watches the repression with complete apathy.