Durga Puja Under Siege: The Plight of Bangladeshi Hindus Amid Rising Islamist Extremism
Paromita Das
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 5th October. The recent surge in attacks on Durga Puja celebrations in Bangladesh marks yet another chapter of escalating persecution against the Hindu minority in the country. This year’s Durga Puja, from October 9 to 13, comes in the wake of political upheaval following the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina government. The event, a major cultural and religious celebration for Bengali Hindus, is under threat from radical Islamist groups, while the Muhammad Yunus-led government remains largely indifferent to the safety concerns of the community. Reports of idol vandalization, protests, and denial of permission for Puja festivities highlight the growing hostility faced by Bangladeshi Hindus, raising serious concerns about their safety and future in the country.
Durga Puja in Bangladesh: A Festival Under Threat
Durga Puja is more than just a religious festival for Bengali Hindus; it is a deeply ingrained part of the region’s cultural and social fabric. Historically, the event has been celebrated with grandeur, drawing large crowds from across the country. However, in recent years, this age-old tradition has increasingly come under attack. As the first major Hindu festival since the political upheaval in Bangladesh, this year’s Durga Puja is especially significant. Unfortunately, the atmosphere is fraught with tension as radical Islamist groups attempt to undermine the celebrations.
Reports indicate that radical groups have protested against Durga Puja, with videos circulating on social media showing crowds chanting “Pujo hote debo na” (won’t allow Durga Puja). Vandalization of idols has already been reported, with incidents in Kishoreganj, where a Durga idol was destroyed in the Batrish Gopinath Jiur Akhara temple, and in the Comilla district, where idols were damaged, and temple donation boxes looted. These acts of desecration highlight the extent of the animosity and the vulnerability of the Hindu community, which is increasingly finding itself isolated and targeted.
Radical Islamist Opposition and Government Apathy
The threats to Durga Puja celebrations have been compounded by a growing radical Islamist movement in Bangladesh. The group Insaf Keemkari Chhatra-Janta, a radical Islamist faction, has been at the forefront of the anti-Hindu sentiment, issuing a 16-point list justifying their opposition to the festival. Their claims include accusations that Durga Puja creates a disturbance for the Muslim majority, and they have called for the removal of temples allegedly built on “special lands.” They also demand that temples display anti-Bharat banners, further politicizing the religious celebration.
These radical elements have been emboldened by what many perceive as the indifference of the current Bangladeshi government, led by Muhammad Yunus. Since coming to power, the Yunus government has been accused of neglecting the safety of the Hindu minority. Sources indicate that Puja committees have been asked to pay a hefty ‘jizya’ tax of Rs 5 lakh each to ensure their safety, a demand that echoes the discriminatory practices of historical Islamic regimes. The authorities have also instructed Puja organizers to maintain silence during the Muslim prayers, specifically during Namaaz times, an order that has been met with outrage from the Hindu community.
A Pattern of Persecution
The attacks on Durga Puja are not isolated incidents but part of a larger pattern of persecution against Hindus in Bangladesh. The recent political shift following Sheikh Hasina’s ouster has exacerbated tensions. Under Hasina’s rule, while far from perfect, the government had taken measures to protect religious minorities, including Hindus. Since her ouster, however, the situation has deteriorated rapidly. In the weeks following the political change, over 205 incidents of violence against Hindus were reported, including attacks on their businesses, properties, and temples. Vandalism and looting have become alarmingly frequent, with little to no accountability.
This systemic targeting of Hindus has dramatically reduced their population in Bangladesh. In 1971, Hindus made up around 20% of the country’s population. Today, that figure has plummeted to just 8%, a statistic that starkly reflects the consequences of decades of marginalization, violence, and forced migration. The threat to Durga Puja is symptomatic of a larger effort to erase the cultural and religious presence of Hindus in Bangladesh, a campaign that has gone largely unchecked.
Cultural Erasure and Religious Intolerance
Bangladeshi Hindus have long faced challenges in maintaining their cultural identity and religious freedom, but the current situation represents a new level of threat. The vandalization of Durga idols and the public protests against Hindu worship are not merely attacks on a festival; they are an attempt to erase the Hindu presence in Bangladesh. The demand for anti-Bharat slogans and the vilification of Hindu temples as symbols of “occupation” further politicize the issue, transforming a religious celebration into a target for nationalist and Islamist agendas.
The imposition of jizya-like taxes and the forced compliance with Muslim prayer times only further alienate the Hindu community, turning what should be a time of joy and festivity into a period of fear and repression. These actions are not only violations of religious freedom but also an assault on the cultural heritage of Bangladesh, which has historically been a land of pluralism and diverse traditions.
International Concerns and Inaction
The plight of Bangladeshi Hindus has attracted international attention, particularly from neighboring Bharat, where many share cultural and familial ties with the Hindu community in Bangladesh. Bharatiya media have reported extensively on the attacks, and various Hindu organizations in Bharat have called for stronger measures to protect their co-religionists. However, despite the outrage, there has been little concrete action from the international community.
While organizations like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have expressed concern over the deteriorating conditions for religious minorities in Bangladesh, global powers have remained largely silent. This apathy from the international community further emboldens radical groups in Bangladesh, who view the lack of external pressure as a green light to continue their campaign of intimidation and violence.
Conclusion: A Grim Outlook for Bangladeshi Hindus
As Bangladesh prepares for this year’s Durga Puja, the Hindu community faces one of its most difficult tests yet. The combination of rising Islamist radicalism, government inaction, and widespread violence has created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty. While some Hindus will continue to celebrate their most important festival, many will do so under the shadow of potential attacks, a grim reminder of their precarious position in a country that once prided itself on religious tolerance.
The current situation in Bangladesh represents a critical juncture for the Hindu minority. The attacks on Durga Puja are not just isolated incidents of religious intolerance but are indicative of a broader and more dangerous trend toward the systemic marginalization of Hindus. The government’s indifference to these threats is unacceptable, and immediate action is needed to protect religious minorities and uphold their right to worship freely.
International bodies and neighboring countries, particularly Bharat, must exert diplomatic pressure on the Bangladeshi government to ensure the safety of Hindus. The ongoing violence cannot be allowed to continue unchecked, and those responsible for inciting hatred and vandalizing temples must be held accountable. Without such intervention, the Hindu community in Bangladesh faces an increasingly bleak future, one where their cultural and religious identity is continuously under siege.
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