Hindu groups staged protests in Bangladesh’s Chittagong on Thursday, demanding that the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government address their eight-point agenda regarding increased violence and persecution against the minority Hindu community.
Protesters voiced their right to safety and called for an end to the ongoing torture, killings, attacks on temples, and vandalism of idols. “We will continue to protest and hold marches across Bangladesh until our demands are met,” said a spokesperson from the Minority Rights Movement, which organised the demonstrations.
Hindu Minority In Bangladesh
The minority Hindu population faced vandalism of their businesses, and properties and destruction of temples during the student-led violence that erupted following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. In August, thousands of Hindus staged protests in Dhaka and the northeastern port city of Chattogram, demanding protection.
Read More: ‘Radicals Trying to Create Panic Among Hindus in Bangladesh in Run-Up to Durga Puja’: Top Govt Sources
Durga puja will be celebrated in Bangladesh from October 9 to 13. CNN-News18 earlier reported that Hindu groups have also faced restrictions, including being asked to stop music during Muslim prayer times. They have also highlighted that specially made idols for Durga Puja have been destroyed, with demands for 500,000 Taka to facilitate the festival.
Durga Puja
Amid concern over possible unrest during the festival, Bangladesh’s interim government earlier on Tuesday said that it will take whatever measures required to peacefully hold the celebrations.
“The Durga Puja celebration of this time will be the best one compared to all the previous celebrations. We will take whatever measures are required to peacefully hold the festival,” Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury was quoted as saying by the state-run BSS news agency.
Read More: Bangladesh Denies Nod To Hindus For Durga Puja Celebration, Idols Vandalised At Several Locations
Highest alert at puja mandap
Last week, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Md Mainul Hassan said that police would be placed on the highest alert at every puja mandap in the national capital to ensure that the Hindu community celebrate Durga Puja peacefully.
Last month, the interim government’s Religious Affairs Adviser AFM Khalid Hossain warned tough action against those disrupting communal harmony or targeting places of worship during the Hindu festival.
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