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Why Hindus Are Not Safe In Bangladesh: 20 Incidents Highlighting Recent Attacks On Durga Puja Celebrations

October 17, 2024
The Commune

Whether or not there has been a democratic rule in Bangladesh, the Hindu community in Bangladesh has always faced attacks, genocide, you name it. Given the present scenario with an interim government led by Muhammad Yunus following the ouster of former premier Sheikh Hasina, a troubling series of incidents targeting the Durga Puja celebrations occurred – a pattern of attacks, vandalism, and harassment. Here are 14 recent events that highlight the ongoing challenges and dangers faced by Hindus in the country:

1. Bomb Blast At Durga Puja Pandal In Dhaka (11 October 2024) 

During the Durga Puja celebrations in Bangladesh, an incident occurred on 11 October 2024, when petrol bombs were thrown at a pandal in Dhaka’s Tati Bazar area, causing panic and a stampede. A video shared online showed an injured person being taken to the hospital.

Authorities are investigating the incident, and legal action is being considered.

2. Slogans of “Islamic Revolution” Raised In Chittagong (9 October 2024) 

Islamic fundamentalists climbed onto the porch of a Durga Puja stage in Chittagong under the guise of singing patriotic songs, then began chanting slogans of “Islamic Revolution.” Although the administration initially downplayed the incident, six youths were later arrested after a video of the event went viral.

3. Vandalism of Idols At Durga Temple in Rajbaro (8 October 2024) 

 Unidentified miscreants stormed the Sajjankanda Modhapara Sarbojanin Durga Temple, damaging several idols of Hindu deities during the Durga Puja festival, adding to the community’s distress. This happened on the eve of Durga Puja in Rajbari town, Bangladesh. The incident occurred at the temple on Rajbari-Kushtia road, where idols of Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesh, and Karthik were damaged. The temple committee, initially hesitant to report the incident, eventually informed authorities. Additional Superintendent of Police Iftekharuzzaman confirmed that efforts are underway to identify the perpetrators and ensure they face justice. The temple lacked security at the time, raising concerns about the protection of religious sites during the festivities.

4. Destruction of Idols in Barisal (4 October 2024)

At the Shyampur Deuri Bari Sarbojanin Shri Durga Temple in Barisal, several idols were vandalized. Organizers discovered that the heads and hands of three idols, including that of Durga, had been broken. They are working to repair the idols promptly to ensure uninterrupted Durga Puja celebrations. Muhammad Mustafa, Officer-in-Charge of Bakerganj Police Station’s Investigation, noted that the temple was unguarded and unlisted, facilitating the vandalism. District Puja Celebration Council President Manik Mukherjee called for an immediate investigation and justice, urging the administration to implement preventive measures against future incidents.

5. Idol Heads Smashed In Kishoreganj (3 October 2024)

Miscreants vandalized seven idols at the Durga Puja Mandap in Sri Sri Jeor Akhara, Kishoreganj, on the night of 3 October 2024. The Gopinath Sangh of Manipurghat Road organized the Puja for the first time in this arena, with guards watching until 4 AM. After they slept, vandals broke into the temple and damaged idols, including Durga, Lakshmi, Ganesha, Saraswati, and Kartika. Authorities, including the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police, visited the scene, and security has been increased across 363 puja pavilions in Kishoreganj. An investigation is underway, with calls for the culprits to be swiftly arrested.

6. Looting And Vandalism In Comilla (3 October 2024)

In Comilla, Bangladesh, a newly made Durga idol was vandalized, and the temple’s donation box was looted. This incident is one of several reports of idol desecration amid the ongoing controversy surrounding Durga Puja celebrations in the country under the Mohammad Yunus-led interim government.

7. Attempted Arson In Sherpur 

In Sherpur district, Bangladesh, on the night of 31 August 2024, miscreants vandalized a clay Durga idol inside a temple near the Meghalaya border. The attackers broke the lock, entered the temple, and damaged the idol. They also attempted to burn the idol by sprinkling petrol, but the fire did not ignite. Local police and army personnel arrived at the scene after the incident, but no arrests were made yet.

8. Destruction Of Under-Construction Idols In Pabna (2 October 2024)

In Pabna’s Sujanagar, Bangladesh, three under-construction Durga idols at Palpara Durga Mandir were found vandalized, with their hands and heads damaged. The incident likely occurred overnight, prompting local authorities to increase security ahead of the Durga Puja festival. Law enforcement, including police, Rab, and army personnel, visited the site and an investigation is underway, although no formal complaint has been filed yet. This is the second vandalism incident in the area, following a similar event in Nishipara. Local committees have been formed to monitor the situation and ensure security for the upcoming festival.

9. Multiple Idol Attacks In Rishipara (1 October 2024)

In Sujanagar, Pabna, two incidents of vandalism targeting Durga idols occurred within four days, raising concerns ahead of the Durga Puja celebrations. On one night, four idols, including the Durga idol, were damaged at Rishipara Barowari Puja Mandap, and on the night a few days later, five idols were vandalized at Manikdi Palpara Barowari Puja Mandap. The idols were nearing completion, with only painting left when the heads of the idols were found broken. Following these incidents, security measures were heightened, and the Officer-in-Charge of Sujanagar Police Station was transferred. 

10. Forced Removal Of Puja Pandal In Uttara (27 September 2024)

In Uttara, a suburb of Dhaka, the Hindu community faced obstruction in organizing Durga Puja celebrations due to opposition from radical Islamist groups. A week prior, human chains were formed by local worshippers and madrasa students in Sectors 11 and 13 to protest against the festivities. Tensions rose, leading to a meeting between the army, police, and local Hindu and Muslim leaders. Last year, Durga Puja was held in a field in Sector 11, but this year, permission was denied, and similar issues occurred in Sector 13. Consequently, the Hindu community had to change the festival’s venue.

11. Idol Vandalism In Mymensingh (25 September 2024)

On 25 September 2024, Yasin Mia, a 22-year-old man, vandalized idols of Goddess Durga and other deities at Gobinda Jeor temple in Gouripur, Mymensingh, Bangladesh. The idols were being prepared for the upcoming Durga Puja festival. Mia entered the temple in the early hours, destroyed the idols, and was spotted by local woman Dolly Rani, who raised the alarm. Two locals, Akhil Chandra Bishwasharma and Bipul Ghosh, apprehended Mia, and he was arrested by the police the next day. Mia’s mother claims he is mentally challenged. The desecration has shocked the local Hindu community ahead of Durga Puja.

12. Extortion Threats In Khulna (22 September 2024)

Hindus in Khulna have been asked to pay 5 lakh Bangladeshi taka (nearly, INR 3,50,726) to celebrate Durga Puja. Hindus will be beheaded, according to the letter received in the mail, if they reveal this to the government or the media. It further stated that the recipient’s fate would be similar to what transpired with Hanif’s project if the money was not paid. Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbub Ul Alam Hanif’s house was plundered for multiple days after Sheikh Hasina’s government fell.

13. Government Restrictions Ahead of Durga Puja (10 September 2024)  

 The Bangladesh Home Ministry issued orders instructing Hindu communities to halt Durga Puja rituals and stop using sound systems five minutes before the azaan and namaz, curtailing religious expression. This directive has sparked backlash, with many criticizing it as a “Talibani” order. During a meeting with Puja leaders, Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury emphasized maintaining law and order and discouraging cross-border travel for Puja. He assured security for the Hindu community during the festival and announced that volunteers from any Bangladeshi community would help secure the 32,666 Puja mandaps. 

14. Flood-Related Idol Vandalism In Kaligram (28 August 2024)

In Rajshahi’s Bagha, an 18-year-old madrasa student, Rabbi Hossain, was arrested for vandalizing three temples in Pakuria and Kaligram on Friday morning. He was caught by locals while breaking the idol at the Kaligram Pundaripara temple and handed over to the police. Rabbi admitted acting alone, claiming that a video on his sister’s phone, showing floodwater from India affecting Bangladesh, had disturbed him, prompting the attacks. A case was filed against him, and he was sent to jail.

15. Islamic Radicals Take To Streets – Won’t Allow Durga Puja

Radical Islamic groups in Bangladesh issued threats to the minority Hindu community, urging them not to openly celebrate Durga Puja and opposing nationwide holidays for the festival. They have also demanded that Hindus refrain from protesting their actions. Members of the Hindu minority claim that the Bangladeshi government has failed to take action against these radical groups, which have intensified their attacks since the fall of the previous Sheikh Hasina-led administration.

16. Crown Donated By PM Modi Stolen (10 October 2024)

A gold-plated crown offered to Goddess Kali was stolen from a temple on the afternoon of 10 October 2024, as reported by local media. The theft was discovered by cleaning staff who entered the temple after the priest left around 2 p.m., according to The Daily Star. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited the Jeshoreshwari Temple on 27 March 2021, during Bangladesh’s ‘Golden Jubilee of Independence’ and the birth centenary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The Indian High Commission in Dhaka is coordinating with local authorities, urging a thorough investigation to recover the stolen crown and hold the perpetrators accountable. The thief has been arrested.

17.  Goddess Durga idol vandalised On Ashtami Day

After the idol of Goddess Durga was vandalized by extremists at Ganpara Bishwas Bari Sarbojanin Durga Mandir, a Hindu priest conducted the Durga Ashtami puja using a banner of the Goddess in place of the idol. 

18. Islamist Caught When attempting To Vandalise Durga Puja Idol In Raozan (8 October 2024)

On 8 October 2024, around 2 AM at the Sarbojanin Shri Shri Durga Temple in Palpara, Raozan, Chittagong, Hindus caught an islamist red-handed while he was attempting to vandalize the idol.

19. Islamists Vandalize Idols In Rangpur (8 October 2024)

Around 4:30 am on the night of 8 October 2024 in Putimari, Gangachara, Rangpur, an attempt was made to vandalize the idol. Local Hindus caught one of the perpetrators red-handed. After being confronted and dealt with by the locals, he was handed over to the police. There were two attackers, but the other managed to escape.

20. Islamists Vandalise Puja Idols In Chapainawabganj (6 October 2024)

Unfinished murtis for Durga Puja broken at Maa Bhavani Durga & Kali Mata Temple in Bhat Tala Hat, Chapainawabganj on 6 October 2024.

These incidents, ranging from vandalism and bomb attacks to government restrictions, underscore the hostility and challenges Hindus face in Bangladesh, particularly during significant cultural and religious celebrations.

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