Zakir Hossain from Dhaka
Leaders of Bangladesh’s Hindu community have demanded year-round protection, saying attacks on temples and idols were reported in 13 districts during Durga Puja preparations.
At the Dhakeshwari National Temple press meet, Mohanagar Sarbojanin Puja Committee president Jayanta Kumar Deb said, “If we want to build a Bangladesh free from discrimination, we must ensure safety for all 365 days, not just during Puja.”
Puja Udjapan Parishad president Basudev Dhar said, “Many members of our community have become victims of fabricated cases. Disinformation on social media has been inciting violence since 2009-10.”
Adviser Subrata Chowdhury added, “In Bangladesh, we don’t need to check the calendar to know when Janmashtami or Durga Puja is near. When idols start getting vandalised, we know a festival is coming.”
Organisers urged the metro rail to run till 11pm during Puja. This year, Puja will be held at 33,355 mandaps nationwide, including 259 in Dhaka.