The Bangladesh government has announced the addition of holidays for Durga Puja celebration in the country, Abul Kalam Azad, Deputy Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus told ANI.
Bangladesh, which is home to roughly 9 per cent of the Hindu population, had recently seen attacks on the minority community after Sheikh Hasina resigned when the student protests got violent in Bangladesh earlier in August this year. The announcement for the additional holiday came after the minority group issued an 8-point demand.
“Traditionally, there was one day holiday in Bangladesh for Durga Puja, but this time, there will be two public holidays, and this will be added to the two days of the weekend, so in total, four days of holidays will be observed in Bangladesh on the occasion of Durga Puja,” Azad said.
He noted that adding an extra holiday will be executed through an executive order, which will be issued today. “The government has decided to compensate those affected by the recent attacks after the August 5 changeover in Bangladesh,”Azad said.
Residents of Dhaka are optimistic about the Puja celebrations. In an interview with ANI, they said that all the law enforcement agencies have ensured that there will be no incidents and accidents during the Puja. They noted that coordination is being seen at all levels, with the army chiefs already passing down the message to all levels, such as the Thana and regional levels, to ensure security.
