Even though Bangladesh’s top officials, including the Chief Advisor, Army Chief, and Home Affairs Advisor, promised a peaceful Sharadiya Durga Puja, Hindu devotees are feeling more anxious than ever as the festival kicks off. The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Oikya Parishad, a key group fighting religious discrimination, highlighted this worry in a statement released Friday from Dhaka.
The organization pointed to at least nine attacks and acts of vandalism hitting Durga Puja mandaps and temples across the country between September 2 and 23. These incidents are fueling fear in the Hindu minority community, especially with the vibrant festival—known for its colorful idols and celebrations—just days away.
It all started on September 2 in Hamidpur, Sadullapur, Gaibandha, when attackers sneaked in under the cover of night and set fire to Durga Puja idols. The flames destroyed statues of Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartik, Ganesh, and other festival items.
Things escalated on September 10 at the Kali Temple in Ayma Jhaloi Maharani Bandh, Panchagarh Sadar Upazila. Someone smashed an idol there, and police arrested a suspect, calling him mentally unstable. But locals aren’t buying it—they say it’s a go-to excuse to protect the real culprits.
By September 14, vandals struck again at the Rakshakali Temple in Swarupdaha Palpara, Poradaha Union, Mirpur Upazila, Kushtia. They damaged idols of Kartik and Saraswati, breaking off heads and hands.
Two days later, on September 16, two idols met the same fate at the Kandulia Kalibari Puja Mandap in Sadar Upazila, Netrokona.
The attacks kept coming: On September 17, five or six idols in preparation got wrecked at the Kashimpur Smashan Mandir in Gazipur City. Artisans discovered the damage that evening after leaving the site earlier.
September 21 saw two major hits. In Tariyapara, Sarishabari Upazila Municipality, Jamalpur, seven idols were vandalized at a Puja Mandir. Police nabbed one person thanks to CCTV footage. Later that day, in Modhupur Sree Sree Rakshakali and Durga Temple, Rajanagar Union, Sirajdikhan, Munshiganj, a land dispute turned violent. Attackers smashed idols and hurt several devotees who were there.
Finally, on September 23, six idols were destroyed at the Haritala Sarbojanin Puja Mandir in Phulhari village, Shailkupa, Jhenaidah. The same day, another temple in Tetulia Union, Tala Upazila, Satkhira, lost one idol to vandalism.
The Oikya Parishad also flagged similar Durga Puja disturbances in Chattogram, Kurigram, and Chapainawabganj. “These events are spreading panic among the Hindu community,” the statement warned, noting that people now fear even worse violence during the main festival days.
The group urged the government and local authorities to step up security right away, enforcing strict law and order to ensure a safe Durga Puja for everyone in Bangladesh.
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