Hindu Temples in Bangladesh Face Extortion Threats Before Durga Puja

Hindu temples in Bangladesh are facing extortion threats from radical Islamist groups just days ahead of the Durga Puja festival. Several temple committees have been warned that they will not be allowed to celebrate Durga Puja unless they pay 5 lakh Bangladeshi taka in extortion. Durga Puja is scheduled to be celebrated from October 9 to 13.

The majority of the incidents have been reported from the Dakop area in Khulna district. Numerous puja committees have received anonymous letters threatening that if they fail to pay the demanded amount, there will be severe consequences, and the festival will not be permitted. In addition to the threats, there have also been multiple cases of idol vandalism. On September 22, a group of madrasa boys vandalized Durga idols in the Raypur area of Lakshmigonj district. A similar incident occurred at the Phuljhuri Galachipa temple in the Barguna district.

Recently, members of the Hindu community met with concerned authorities in Chittagong and Khulna districts to file formal complaints about the threats and vandalism.

The Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council, a human rights organization, condemned the recent attacks on minority communities and the desecration of their properties, which have increased since the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government. The council has called on the government, now led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, to take strong legal action against the perpetrators.

To ensure the safety of minority communities, the council has established a six-member monitoring cell to oversee the situation.

Kushal Chakraborty, president of the Sanatan Bidyarthi Sansad in Chittagong district, told India Today that Hindus are preparing for Durga Puja, but there is a growing sense of fear. “There is fear in our minds. We are trying to reach out to the government for our safety. Idols have been vandalized in places like Faridpur, Khulna, and others. We are preparing for Durga Puja, but the fear persists,” Chakraborty said.

Vivekanand Ray, a local Hindu committee leader from Sathkira district, expressed concerns that celebrating Durga Puja freely this year might be difficult for the Hindu community. “Some extremists have vandalized our Durga idols and even the pandals. We are making preparations, but it seems this year it will be very difficult for Hindus to celebrate our biggest festival as the government remains a silent spectator, and the police provide no help,” Ray said.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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