Bangladesh: No Durga Puja holiday, idol immersions, demands radical Islamic group

Insaf Keemkari Chhatra-Janta, a radical Islamic group in Bangladesh, has warned Hindus in the country to not celebrate Durga Puja or engage in any idol worship

Published on: Sep 27, 2024, 08:37:51 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

As Durga Puja approaches, radical Islamic groups have warned Bangladesh's Hindu minority to not openly celebrate the festival and engage in any idol worship or immersion, reported India Today.

Hindus in Bangladesh hold a rally condemning violence against them and other religious groups in the Muslim-majority country (AP)

Insaf Keemkari Chhatra-Janta, a radical Islamic group, staged a protest in Dhaka's sector 13 against the use of a playground by the Hindu community for the Durga Puja celebrations.

Also Read: Bangladesh asks Hindus to pause Durga Puja activities during namaz, azaan

The area had been used by the community for many years. However as tensions rise between religious groups in the country, several Islamic groups have called for restrictions on celebrating the Hindu festival, the report said.

Also Read: As Durga Puja approaches, Bangladesh interim govt warns potential troublemakers

Holding up placards in Bangla that read “no worship anywhere by closing roads, no pollution to water by idol immersion, no worship to idols”, the protesting group presented a 16-point list of demands citing environmental damage, use of government funds for religious activity and disruption as reasons to stop celebrating Durga Puja.

Also Read: Bangladesh plays spoilsport, bans Padma Hilsa fish export to India ahead of Durga Puja

One of their issues was that Durga Puja had been made a national holiday despite Hindus only making up two per cent of the population. They claimed that the festival caused a nuisance for the Muslim majority and also stated that Muslims should not support such festivals for religious reasons.

Their demands also included a call to remove temples “built by occupying many special lands in Bangladesh”, reported India Today. Another demand asks all temples to have anti-India banners and slogans for Hindu citizens to prove their loyalty to Bangladesh and their anti-India sentiments.

Reports of temple vandalism and idol destruction have increased, heightening the anxiety of the community.

In Khulna, Hindu citizens told India Today that they were being asked to pay 5 lakh Bangladeshi taka to celebrate Durga Puja.

Despite assurances from Muhammad Yunus, chief advisor of the interim government, the Hindu community in Bangladesh has faced a surge in attacks on life and property after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest World News, breaking headlines and global updates from the US, UK, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia and other countries. Follow major international events on Hindustan Times.