The Hindu population in Bangladesh has always been the target of attacks, genocide, and other forms of violence, regardless of whether the country has had democratic governance or not. Given the current situation, which includes an interim administration headed by Muhammad Yunus after former premier Sheikh Hasina was overthrown, a concerning string of attacks, vandalism, and harassment targeting the Durga Puja celebrations took place. These latest incidents demonstrate the continued difficulties and risks that Hindus in the nation confront:
* Bomb Blast at Durga Puja at Dhaka ( 11 October 2024)
On October 11, 2024, during Bangladesh's Durga Puja celebrations, petrol bombs were thrown at a pandal in the Tati Bazar neighbourhood of Dhaka, sparking fear and a stampede. An wounded person was seen being transported to the hospital in a video that was circulated online.
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* Vandalism of idols at Durga Puja Temple In Rajbari ( 8 October 2024
The community was further distressed when unknown criminals broke into the Sajjankanda Modhopara Sarbojonin Durga Temple and damaged a number of Hindu deity idols during the Durga Puja celebration. This occurred in Rajbari town, Bangladesh, on the eve of Durga Puja. The idols of Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesh, and Karthik were damaged in the incident, which took place at the temple on Rajbari-Kushtia road. After some hesitation, the temple committee finally notified the authorities of the occurrence. Iftekharuzzaman, an additional superintendent of police, affirmed that attempts are being made to find the criminals and bring them to justice. At the time, there was no security at the temple, which raised questions about how holy buildings would be protected during the celebrations.
*Devastation of idols in Barisal ( 4 October 2024)
Several idols at Barisal's Shyampur Deuri Bari Sarbojanin Shri Durga Temple were damaged. Three idols, including Durga's, had their hands and skulls shattered, the organisers found out. In order to guarantee continuous Durga Puja celebrations, they are working quickly to restore the idols. The temple was unsecured and unlisted, which allowed for the devastation, according to Muhammad Mustafa, Officer-in-Charge of the Investigation at the Bakerganj Police Station. Manik Mukherjee, the president of the District Puja Celebration Council, demanded that the administration take preventative action to avoid similar incidents in the future and called for an immediate investigation and justice.
*Slogan Of 'Islamic Revolution' Raised in Chittagong (9 October 2024)
Under the pretence of performing patriotic songs, Islamic extremists scaled the porch of a Durga Puja stage in Chittagong and started yelling "Islamic Revolution" slogans. After a video of the incident went viral, six young people were detained, despite the administration's initial downplaying of the incident.
* 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.
*Looting and Vandalism In Comilla ( 3 October 2024 )
In Comilla, Bangladesh, the temple's donation box was looted and a recently constructed Durga idol was vandalised. In the midst of the recent controversy surrounding Durga Puja celebrations in the nation under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, this occurrence is one of several allegations of idol desecration.
*Attempted Arson In Sherpur (31 August 2024)
A clay Durga idol in*side a temple close to the Meghalaya border was vandalised on the evening of August 31, 2024, in the Sherpur region of Bangladesh. The assailants smashed the idol, broke the lock, and entered the shrine. They also sprayed fuel on the idol in an attempt to burn it, but the fire did not start. Following the event, local police and army officials came on the area, but no arrests had been made.
* Destruction Of Under- Construction idols In Pabna ( 2 October 2024)
Three Durga idols that were still under construction at the Palpara Durga Mandir in Pabna, Sujanagar, Bangladesh, were discovered damaged, with their hands and heads smashed. Local authorities stepped up security in anticipation of the Durga Puja season after the event, which most likely happened overnight. Although no official complaint has been made yet, law enforcement, including police, Rab, and army personnel, visited the location and an inquiry is currently underway. After a similar incident in Nishipara, this is the second vandalism incident in the area. To keep an eye on the situation and provide security for the forthcoming festival, local committees have been established.
* Many idol Attack in Rishi para ( 1 October 2024)
Ahead of the Durga Puja celebrations, there were two instances of vandalism in Sujanagar, Pabna, that targeted Durga idols in four days. Five idols were vandalised in Manikdi Palpara Barowari Puja Mandap a few days after four idols, including the Durga goddess, were damaged at Rishipara Barowari Puja Mandap one night. When the idols' heads were discovered smashed, they were almost finished—just painting remained. Security was tightened after these incidents, and the Sujanagar Police Station's officer-in-charge was moved.
* Force Removal Puja Pandal In Uttara ( 27 October 2024)
The Hindu community in Uttara, a Dhaka suburb, has difficulties planning Durga Puja festivities because of resistance from extremist Islamist organisations. Local worshippers and madrasa students in Sectors 11 and 13 had protested against the celebrations a week earlier by forming human chains. As tensions increased, local Muslim and Hindu officials met with the army and police. Durga Puja was conducted in a field in Sector 11 last year, but permission was refused this year, while Sector 13 experienced similar problems. As a result, the Hindu community was forced to relocate the festival.
* Idol Vandalism In Mymensingh (25 September 2024)
At the Gobinda Jeor temple in Gouripur, Mymensingh, Bangladesh, idols of Goddess Durga and other deities were vandalised on September 25, 2024, by a 22-year-old man named Yasin Mia. For the impending Durga Puja celebration, the idols were being prepared. Dolly Rani, a local woman, heard Mia's warning after she broke into the temple early in the morning and damaged the idols. Mia was caught by two villagers, Akhil Chandra Bishwasharma and Bipul Ghosh, and the following day, the police took him into custody. According to Mia's mother, he has a mental disability. Ahead of Durga Puja, the local Hindu community is shocked by the destruction.
*Extortion threats in Khulna ( 22 September 2024)
It has been requested that Khulna Hindus pay 5 lakh Bangladeshi taka (around INR 3,50,726) in order to celebrate Durga Puja. According to the letter that arrived in the mail, Hindus who disclose this to the government or the media would be decapitated. It went on to say that if the money was not paid, the recipient's fate would be comparable to what happened with Hanif's project. After Sheikh Hasina's administration collapsed, Mahbub Ul Alam Hanif, the joint general secretary of the Awami League, had his home looted for several days.
* Government Restriction about Durga Puja ( 10 September 2024)
In an effort to restrict religious expression, the Bangladesh Home Ministry ordered Hindu groups to cease Durga Puja ceremonies and to turn off sound systems five minutes before to the azaan and namaz. Many have criticised this directive as a "Talibani" decree, which has caused blowback. Home Affairs Advisor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury stressed upholding law and order and discouraged cross-border travel for Puja during a meeting with Puja leaders. He said that volunteers from any Bangladeshi group will assist in securing the 32,666 Puja mandaps and guaranteed safety for the Hindu community throughout the celebration.
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