Bangladesh : preparation for ‘Durga Puja’ in fear and tension over possible attacks

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, September 27, 2025

Amidst tension and fear of attacks from Muslim communal miscreants and fundamentalists, the minuscule Hindu minority people in Bangladesh are making last minute preparation for the four-day ‘Durga Puja’ festival beginning from tomorrow. Sources from across the border said that this year there will be altogether 33,355 ‘Durga Pujas’ to be organised in pandals and temples and , in addition, there will some private ‘Pujas’ in households , specially in urban areas. The figure last year was less and , according to official accounts, 1894 more ‘Pujas’ are being held this year despite the lawlessness in the country.

This was disclosed by the senior members of the national ‘Dhakeshwari’ temple committee. They said that the chief advisor of the interim government Md Yunus had visited the temple a week ago and assured the organizers that the government will provide foolproof security for the ‘Pujas’ across the country . The jawans of security forces including Ansar jawans will be posted in all the pandals and there will be CCTV coverage while the army will stand by to strictly maintain law and order and prevent any disturbance. M

Sources said that despite the assurance given by the government there is fear of attacks and vandalisation and nervousness among the Hindu minorities. Out of altogether 64 districts of Bangladesh thirty have been identified as vulnerable to communally motivated attacks and vandalisation. But the situation still seems better this year as the fundamentalist Jamat-e-Islami which now shares power in the interim government has taken a moderate stand and assured the Hindu minorities that efforts will be made to ensure that the Hindus can celebrate their biggest religious festival in a smooth and peaceful manner. But still doubts linger as already several images of deities have been broken and pandals vandalised in two or three places though the Hindu leaders are hoping for a peaceful and trouble-free ‘Durga Puja’.

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