This year’s Durga Puja celebrations in Bangladesh will be muted, as the Hindu community seeks to protest against the alarming surge in attacks following the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5. The political upheaval and subsequent communal tensions have led to over 2,000 reported attacks against Hindus, the country’s largest minority group, in just two months, reports PTI.
The ongoing violence has overshadowed the vibrancy traditionally associated with Durga Puja, prompting many community leaders to call for a subdued observance of the festival. Ranjan Karmakar, a member of the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council (BHBCOP), stated, “This year, we are just organising Durga Puja, and there will be no Durga Puja celebrations. This is a form of protest, and the Hindus are not in the frame of mind to participate in festivities following the continuous attacks on our community since August.”
Despite assurances of safety from the government, many puja organizers have reported threats and demands for ransom, with some committees receiving anonymous letters requesting between 3 to 5 lakh taka to allow their celebrations to proceed without disruption. A leader from the community expressed concern over the prevailing insecurity, saying, “Is this a secure atmosphere where we can hold Durga Puja celebrations peacefully? This is not an isolated incident but has now become a norm this year.”
According to the BHBCOP, at least 2,010 incidents of violence against the Hindu community have been documented since the political crisis began, with the attacks ranging from murder and physical assaults to assaults on temples. The government has yet to provide official statistics on these incidents.
As radical Islamic groups intensify their opposition to Durga Puja celebrations and calls for nationwide holidays during the festival, fears grow among Hindus planning to celebrate from October 9 to 13. Reports of vandalised Durga idols and stolen donation boxes serve as grim reminders of past violence, casting a shadow over the usually lively streets filled with festival-goers.
Historically, the Awami League has enjoyed significant support from the Hindu community due to its secular stance. However, the sudden political vacuum following Hasina’s resignation has sparked violence that disproportionately affects Hindus. “During the Awami League’s regime, too, Durga Pujas were attacked, and idols were vandalized. I won’t be surprised if Awami League sympathisers are behind these current attacks to defame the interim government and portray a picture that Hindus are under threat without Sheikh Hasina,” commented Gobinda Chandra Pramanik, general secretary of the Bangladesh Jatiya Hindu Mohajote.
In response to the unrest, government officials have made assurances of safety for the upcoming Durga Puja celebrations, pledging increased patrols, armed forces deployments, and the monitoring of puja pandals. Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury’s comments urging Hindus to pause certain activities during Muslim prayer times have drawn criticism from community leaders, who argue that such statements only fuel the sentiments of extremists.
Kajal Debnath, a BHBCOP leader, reported that while there have been instances of attacks on pandals and temples, a total of 31,461 Durga Pujas are being organized this year. Government data indicates a slight increase in the number of pujas compared to last year.
Hindus once constituted around 22 per cent of Bangladesh’s population during the 1971 Liberation War, but this figure has dwindled to approximately 8 per cent due to socio-political marginalization and sporadic violence. This decline underscores the urgency for political mobilisation among minority groups.
Despite the government’s reassurances, community leaders are left wondering why security measures are prioritized only during the festival days. Debnath emphasised the need for consistent protection, stating, “Hindus are very much citizens of Bangladesh and should live without fear and intimidation.”