In the latest in Bangladesh, the newly formed interim government in Bangladesh has requested the Hindu community to suspend Durga Puja activities, specifically music, during azaan and namaz. ‘Puja committees have been asked to turn off musical instruments and sound systems during these times, and they have agreed to comply’, said Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury.
‘Such activities need to cease during offering namaz, and the pause will have to be followed from five minutes prior to azaan’, said Chowdhury. Though last year the number of puja mandaps was 33,431 and the figure is expected to exceed this year, according to Chowdhury, who cited the Puja Celebration Parishad. He noted that discussions had been conducted about the tight security at puja mandaps. He further added, ‘Measures will be implemented to look after the celebration of puja without any hindrance and for the prevention of miscreants’.
On Wednesday evening in his speech to the country, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus said that Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony and declared that no one should get involve in actions that disturb the religious harmony. Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain warned that those who harass people at worship halls will be dealt under the law.
He assured that the authorities would ensure the security. During a visit to the Prematli Gaurang Bari Kalimandir in Godagaat Rajshahi district, Hossain encouraged the Hindu community to celebrate their festivals with enthusiasm and promised that no one would be allowed to harm their temples. He also said that no criminals would succeed if there were fears of attacks on temples. Local people, including the madrasa students, are involved to take turns guarding the temples. Hossain asserted that the interim government focuses to transform the Bangladesh into a state free of discrimination and no one would stop the celebrations of their religious festivals.
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Hindus, who represented 22 % of Bangladesh’s population during the 1971 Liberation War, now make up 8 % of the current 170 million people. Earlier in August, the Bangladesh National Hindu Grand Alliance stated that the minority Hindu community faced several attacks and threats in 278 locations across 48 districts since the fall of the Hasina-led government and termed it as an ‘assault on the Hindu religion’.
Since the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5, over 205 incidents of violence have been reported against Hindus and other minority groups across 52 districts in Bangladesh. This surge in attacks has left hundreds injured and has driven thousands to flee their homes in search of safety.
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