Dhaka, Sept 29: The Hindu community in Bangladesh began celebrating Durga Puja on Sunday, with over two lakh security personnel deployed nationwide to ensure safety amid reports of minor disruptions.The festival commenced with the unveiling of Goddess Durga’s face at Dhaka’s Dhakeshwari National Temple, marked by traditional rituals and widespread public participation.
Basudev Dhar, President of the Bangladesh Puja Celebration Council, expressed satisfaction with government support and noted a rise in the number of puja mandaps, reaching 33,350 this year.
According to officials, security measures include around 200,000 Para Police Ansars, 430 BGB platoons, and over 70,000 police personnel.
Home Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury cautioned against misinformation spread by allies of the ousted Sheikh Hasina regime, urging media cooperation in maintaining communal harmony.
However, concerns persist about the treatment of religious minorities.
The Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council recently reported over 2,400 incidents of communal violence since August 2024, following Sheikh Hasina’s ousting.
Despite Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus’s public message of national unity, minorities have reportedly faced exclusion and increased attacks, prompting India to voice concerns over the safety of Hindus in Bangladesh.