Some temples in Bangladesh have received extortion threats from Islamist organizations requesting Rs 5 lakh if they wish to celebrate Durga Puja, amid worries over potential communal conflict during the holiday.
Mahendra Nath, General Secretary of the Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, exclusively spoke to News18. He stated that threats have been made against more than twenty-five temples in Dacope town, Khulna city, requesting Rs 5 lakh to celebrate the five-day festival.
Nath further said that the temples have lodged a complaint against the extortion threats with the police but they lack confidence in police. However, the police have assured protection to the temple committees for the celebrations.
Owing to the threats, some puja committees have cancelled the celebrations.
Durga Puja will be celebrated from October 9 to 13 and more puja pandals will reportedly be built this year in Bangladesh compared to 2023. Last year, the number of the puja mandap was 33, 431 and the number is likely to exceed this year.
The Hindu community in Bangladesh was earlier “requested” by Muhammad Yunus’s interim administration to cease all Durga puja-related activities, including playing any kind of musical instrument five minutes prior to Azaan and during Namaaz.
“Such activities need to cease during offering namaaz, and the pause will have to be followed from five minutes prior to azaan,” Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury was quoted as saying by Times of India.
In addition to the sound restrictions, Chowdhury had assured that the Hindu community will be provided with heightened security measures during the festivities. He stated that the government is also working to provide round-the-clock security at all puja venues, starting from the construction of the idols, to prevent any disruptions or criminal activities.
The minority Hindu population faced vandalism of their businesses and properties, as well as the destruction of Hindu temples, during the student-led violence that erupted following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
After unprecedented anti-government protests that peaked on August 5, Hasina resigned as prime minister and fled to India.
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