The Hindu community seems to be targeted again in Bangladesh. Now there is news that Islamic fundamentalist groups have sent threatening letters to temples and committees, demanding 5 lakh Bangladeshi Taka. It has been said that if the money is not paid, puja will not be allowed. Community members say that there have been many cases of breaking the idol of Durga Ji and threats for extortion.
According to India Today’s report, radical Islamic groups have demanded 5 lakh Bangladeshi Taka from temples and committees to celebrate Durga Puja. Durga Puja will be celebrated from 9 to 13 October. The special thing is that this is the biggest festival of Bangladeshi Hindus. According to the report, such incidents have been reported the most from Dacope in Khulna district.
It is reported that many Puja committees have received anonymous letters threatening them of dire consequences if they do not pay the money and not allowing Durga Puja to be performed. According to the report, cases of idols being vandalised have also been reported from many places. On September 22, some madrasa boys vandalised Durga idols in Raipur area of Laxmiganj district. There were also incidents of idols being vandalised at a temple in Barguna district.
Recently, members of the Hindu community have lodged complaints with the officials of Chittagong and Khulna districts. At the same time, the Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Committee has also demanded strict action against the culprits from the interim government led by Mohammad Yunus. The committee has also formed a cell of 6 members, which will take care of the safety of minority communities and monitor the situation.
Talking to the channel, Kushal Chakraborty, president of Sanatan Vidhyarthi Sansad of Chittagong district, said, “We are afraid. We are contacting the government for our safety. Idols have been vandalised in Faridpur, Khulna and many other places. We are preparing for Durga Puja, but the fear remains.”
Vivekananda Ray, a local Hindu community leader in Satkhira district, said, “Some fundamentalists have vandalised Durga Ji’s idol and pandals. We are preparing for Durga Puja, but this year it looks like it will be difficult for Hindus to celebrate our biggest festival because the government has become a spectator and the police are not helping.”
After the violence that broke out in August, there were many reports of attacks on minority communities in Bangladesh. On August 5, the government of then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fell. After this, Mohammad Yunus became the chief advisor of the interim government.
