Hindus in Bangladesh cutting Durga Puja expense to fund aid for Rohingyas

Bangladesh has been overwhelmed by Rohingya Muslims since violence erupted in Myanmar’s Rakhine state on August 25

In a humanitarian gesture, Hindus in Bangladesh on Friday decided to cut the expenses of the upcoming Durga Puja to set up a fund to provide relief for the Rohingya refugees who poured into the country following the ethnic violence in Myanmar.

Rohingya refugees react as aid is distributed in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, September 21, 2017.(REUTERS)

More than 420,000 Rohingyas, mostly Muslims, fled Myanmar’s Rakhine State to evade atrocities which the United States. Reports suggest that the violence also forced some 800 Hindus in Rakhine State to take refuge in Bangladesh.

“Their mass exodus has unfolded a horrific humanitarian crisis (and so) we will stand by the persecuted refugees with assistance by saving during the Durga Puja festival,” general secretary of the apex Puja Celebration Council said.

Rohingya refugee children queue for aid in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, September 21, 2017. (REUTERS)

He said puja celebration committees across Bangladesh had been asked to save to set up a fund to provide relief for the Rohingya refugees.

Bangladesh has been overwhelmed by Rohingya Muslims since violence erupted in Buddhist-dominated Myanmar’s Rakhine state on August 25.

The Rohingya are regarded as illegal immigrants in Myanmar.