As the Hindu community in Bangladesh prepares to celebrate the annual Durga Puja festival from October 9 to 13, tensions have surfaced in certain areas due to objections raised by radical Islamist groups. While most of the country is set to host the festival without issue, incidents of obstruction and religious intolerance in select locations have created unease.
The challenges faced by the Hindu minority, particularly in Uttara, a suburb of Dhaka, have cast a shadow over the otherwise joyous celebrations, raising concerns about communal harmony and religious freedom in the country.
Obstructions in Uttara: A Growing Concern
In Uttara, Dhaka’s northern suburb, reports have emerged of radical Islamist groups creating disruptions to prevent the Hindu community from organizing Durga Puja. In some sectors of Uttara, such as sectors 11 and 13, human chains were formed by local groups to protest against the celebration, with opposition primarily coming from worshippers at nearby mosques and students from local madrasas.
The previous year, Durga Puja was successfully organized in a field in Sector 11 of Uttara, but this year, the situation has drastically changed. According to eyewitnesses, mosque committees and other local religious groups have openly stated their refusal to allow the Hindu festival to take place in these areas.
A local community police officer, Siraj Mia, who has been serving as a security guard at Uttara Field No. 13 for the past five years, described the escalating tension. “I heard that there will be a Durga Puja here. But the mosque committee said they will not allow Puja here. So there will be no Puja here,” Mia said, adding that the field, typically used for sports, also hosts Eid prayers for Muslims. The proximity of a madrasa and a mosque to the field has further fueled the opposition.
Faced with growing resistance, the Hindu community in Uttara has had no choice but to relocate the Puja venue. Local authorities, including the police and army, intervened to mediate between the Hindu and Muslim communities, but the atmosphere remains tense. The Hindu organizers have chosen to stay silent on the matter, with none willing to speak on record about the challenges they are facing.
Vandalism in Gouripur Raises Alarm
While the situation in Uttara is troubling, it is not the only instance of religious tensions surrounding Durga Puja in Bangladesh. In Gouripur, Mymensingh district, an incident of idol vandalism has further raised concerns about the safety and security of the Hindu community. According to reports, a Durga idol was vandalized, leading to the swift arrest of a youth suspected of being involved in the incident.
The Gouripur Madhya Bazar Puja Celebration Committee, which organizes Durga Puja annually in the area, condemned the vandalism. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of Bangladesh also took note of the incident, issuing a strong statement of condemnation.
“The commission considers the incident of breaking the idols of religious minorities on the occasion of the upcoming Durga Puja in non-discriminatory and non-communal Bangladesh post-coup to be highly despicable, reprehensible, and a gross violation of human rights,” the NHRC said in its statement. The commission has initiated an investigation and demanded that “exemplary legal action should be taken against those involved in the incident.”
A special committee, headed by Md Ashraful Alam, Director of Complaints and Investigations at the NHRC, has been formed to look into the matter. The committee has been tasked with visiting the site and submitting a report within 10 working days.
Concerns Over Religious Freedom and Communal Harmony
Bangladesh has long prided itself on its communal harmony and religious tolerance, with festivals like Durga Puja being celebrated peacefully across the country. This year, an estimated 32,666 pavilions will host the celebrations, according to the police. For the most part, there are no major issues in organizing the festival, and preparations are in full swing.
However, the incidents in Uttara and Gouripur have highlighted a growing concern about religious freedom for minority communities in Bangladesh. Durga Puja is one of the most significant festivals for the Hindu community, and any attempt to obstruct or disrupt these celebrations is seen as a direct threat to their rights and cultural expression.
The NHRC’s call for strict legal action against those involved in the vandalism and their emphasis on the need to provide security to religious minorities are timely and necessary. “Providing overall security to religious minorities on the occasion of the upcoming Durga Puja is very important at present,” the commission’s statement said.
The recent developments have attracted the attention of human rights organizations both within and outside Bangladesh, with calls for the government to ensure that the Hindu community can celebrate Durga Puja without fear or intimidation.
In conclusion, while the vast majority of Bangladesh remains peaceful and committed to upholding communal harmony, the incidents in Uttara and Gouripur are troubling reminders of the challenges faced by religious minorities. As Durga Puja approaches, all eyes will be on the government and local authorities to ensure that the festival is celebrated peacefully and that the rights of all citizens, regardless of their religious beliefs, are protected.
