DHAKA, Sept 26 – Hindu community leaders in Bangladesh have demanded year-round protection for religious minorities and places of worship after attacks on temples and idols were reported in 13 districts ahead of this year’s Durga Puja, the country’s largest Hindu festival.
At a press conference, Jayanta Kumar Deb, president of the Mohanagar Sarbojanin Puja Committee, stressed that security measures should not be limited to the five-day festival period.
“If we want to build a Bangladesh free from discrimination, we must ensure safety for all 365 days, not just during Puja,” Deb said.
Leaders also called for the withdrawal of false and sweeping cases allegedly filed against minority community members in the run-up to the festival.
Basudev Dhar, president of the Puja Udjapan Parishad, said disinformation on social media has long incited violence against Hindus, dating back to 2009-10. He confirmed that law enforcement agencies have been briefed and several suspects arrested over recent attacks.
Adviser Subrata Chowdhury added, “In Bangladesh, we don’t need to check the calendar to know when Janmashtami, Durga Puja, or Saraswati Puja is coming. When idols start getting vandalised, we know a festival is near.”
Organisers requested extended metro rail services in Dhaka until 11 pm during the festival for public convenience.
According to the Puja Udjapan Parishad, Durga Puja will be celebrated at 33,355 mandaps nationwide this year, up 1,894 from 2023, including 259 in Dhaka city.