Number of Durga Puja pandals in Bangladesh reduce by over a thousand due to fear of extremists

Deity Idols vandalised in at least 10 places; administration shows disinterest in taking action

Fear among Hindus

Dhaka (Bangladesh) – Durga Puja, the largest religious festival for Bengali Hindus, began in Bangladesh on 3^rdOctober following ‘Shubho Mahalay’ (Sarvapitri Amavasya). On the night of Mahalay, several Idols of Goddess Durga were vandalised in at least 10 places. The Police response to this was also inadequate. Hindus are celebrating Durga Puja festival under the shadow of fear. According to the ‘Bangladesh Puja Celebration Committee’, last year there were 32,408 pandals for Durga Puja. However, this year, it is reported that this number has reduced by at least over a thousand.

Due to the fear of extremists in Bangladesh, the number of Durga Puja 🕉️🔱🪔 pandals has decreased by 1,000 this year!

🚨 At least 10 instances of desecration of the Goddess’ idols have occurred, yet the authorities remain indifferent in taking action.

This situation is… pic.twitter.com/o10DuxRGf4

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) October 8, 2024

1. Manindra Kumar Nath, the General Secretary of the ‘Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council’, stated in this regard that there has been no organisation of Durga Puja pandals in many areas of Chattogram, Khulna, and Dhaka districts. Idols were vandalised in 10-12 places, and the Government has shown disinterest in punishing the accused.

2. There is a shadow of fear among Hindus due to a continuous series of attacks over the past two months. Idols have been vandalised in Faridpur, Barguna, Gounipur, Kishoreganj, Narail, Pabna and other places. In the past two months, there have been at least 2,010 attacks on Hindus.

3. Prof. Kushal Baran Chakraborty, an Assistant Professor of Sanskrit at Chattogram University, said, ‘I personally know that Durga Puja will not be organised in at least 100 places in our city this year’.

4. Despite an environment of fear everywhere for security reasons, preparations for welcoming the Goddess Durga are underway at Ramna Kali Temple, Dhakeshwari National Temple, Rajarbagh Kali Temple, Ramakrishna Mission, and Siddheswari Kali Temple in the capital Dhaka.

Fear of extremists in Bangladesh

5. Priest Harichand Chakraborty of Ramna Kali Temple said that the Pooja for Mahashashthi will be conducted on 9^thOctober, Mahasaptami on 10^thOctober, Mahashtami on 11^thOctober, and Mahanavami on 12^thOctober.

Editorial Perspectives

• This situation is shameful for Indian Hindus who are doing absolutely nothing for the Hindus in Bangladesh and allowing the India-Bangladesh cricket matches to take place in India !

• O Bangladeshi Hindus, now it’s time for you to perform spiritual practice and seek the blessings of the Divine. Empower yourself with self-defence training. Remember, if you do this, the Divine will certainly protect you !