As Durga Puja approaches, a shadow of fear hangs over the Hindu community in Bangladesh. While devotees elsewhere prepare to celebrate the ten-day festival with enthusiasm, the minority Hindu population faces a wave of threats and restrictions from radical groups.
The Insaf Keemkari Chhatra-Janta, a group known for its extremist views, has issued a stark warning against open celebrations of Durga Puja, including idol worship and immersion. The group, citing environmental concerns and the disruption of the Muslim majority’s daily life, has staged protests and presented a 16-point list of demands aimed at curbing the celebrations.
One of the key demands is the removal of Durga Puja Day from the list of national holidays, arguing that Hindus comprise less than two percent of the population. The group alleges that the festival disrupts the lives of the Muslim majority and insists that followers of Islam should not participate in supporting Hindu festivals for religious reasons.
The group’s protests have also focused on the use of public spaces for Durga Puja celebrations. In Dhaka’s sector 13, the group protested against the use of a playground that has been traditionally used by the Hindu community for years. They have also demanded restrictions on the use of government relief funds for the festival and the elimination of road closures during festivities.
These actions have heightened tensions between religious groups in Bangladesh, raising concerns about the safety and freedom of expression for the Hindu community during this important festival. The threats and demands from the radical group underscore the growing intolerance and religious extremism that the Hindu minority in Bangladesh faces.
