Days before Durga Puja, radical Islamic groups in Bangladesh have threatened puja committees and temples that they will not be allowed to celebrate the festival unless they pay 5 lakh Bangladeshi Taka. Durga Puja will be celebrated from 9 to 13 October.
The development comes after attacks on minorities during student protests in Bangladesh. Speaking to India Today, several members expressed concern and fear ahead of the biggest Hindu festival in Bangladesh. Members of the Hindu community said there have been several incidents of extortion threats and vandalism of Durga idols.
Most of the incidents have been reported from Daukop area of Khulna district. Several Puja committees have received anonymous letters threatening them that they will not be allowed to celebrate Durga Puja and will have to face consequences if they fail to make the payments.
There have also been several reports of idols being vandalised. On September 22, a group of madrasa boys vandalised Durga idols in Raipur area of Laxmiganj district. Idols were also vandalised at the Phuljhuri Galachipa temple in Barguna district.
Recently, members of the Hindu community met the concerned authorities in Chittagong and Khulna districts and lodged complaints.
Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council, a human rights organisation, has condemned the recent attacks on minority communities and desecration of their properties after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government. The council has urged the Dr Muhammad Yunus-led government to take strict legal action against the culprits.
The Council has set up a six-member monitoring cell to monitor the situation and ensure the safety of minority communities.
Kushal Chakraborty, president of the Sanatan Vidyarthi Sansad in Chittagong district, told India Today that Hindus are preparing for Durga Puja amid an atmosphere of fear.
“We are in fear. We are trying to contact 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 persists,” he said.
Vivekananda Ray, leader of the local Hindu committee in Satkhira district, said it would be difficult for Hindus to celebrate Durga Puja freely this year.
“Some extremists vandalised our Durga idols and even pandals. We are preparing for Durga Puja but it looks like this year it will be very difficult for Hindus to celebrate their biggest festival as the government is turning mute and the police are not helping,” Ray said.