After the coup in Bangladesh, Hindus living there are facing a lot of oppression. This is not stopping even during Durga Puja. Its echo has started being heard even in America. However, the government of Bangladesh has decided to take additional security measures ahead of Durga Puja. But there are still doubts whether the Bengali-speaking Hindu community will be able to celebrate its biggest festival this year despite security concerns.
Leaders of the Hindu community have expressed their concerns. Some Bengali Hindus are considering canceling Navratri celebrations this year. Some videos are also being posted on social media against Durga Puja. However, those videos have not been confirmed yet.
Several temples in Khulna’s Dakop reportedly received anonymous letters, in which threats were issued. They have been told that unless Taka 5 lakh is collected as extortion money from each of the temples, they will not be allowed to celebrate Durga Puja.
“Our members are no longer interested in it. We will have to stop the puja this year,” Bangladeshi newspaper Daily Star quoted Shekhar Chandra Goldar, president of Dakop’s Kamarkhola Sarvajanin Durga Puja Utsav Committee, as saying.
The letters given to the leaders of various puja festival committees also said that non-compliance would entail serious consequences. On Friday, representatives of four temples registered a case at Dakop police station. “We are investigating the matter. We are carrying out regular patrolling with the army team,” the Daily Star quoted officer-in-charge Sirajul Islam as saying.