Bangladesh’s Anti-Hindu Agenda in Durga Puja Celebrations

On September 10, 2024, the Bangladesh Home Ministry issued a controversial decree ahead of Durga Puja, one of the most significant Hindu festivals in the country. The ministry instructed Puja committees to halt rituals and turn off sound systems five minutes before and during the Muslim call to prayer (Azan) and Namaz. Hindus treated as Cattle?

Meet the Bangladeshi Home Minister Advisor who is directing that Hindus must stop their pujas, music, & any rituals 5 minutes before Azan—or face arrest.

This is new Talibani #Bangladesh. But no Bollywoodiya will hold placards for Bangladeshi Minorities because they are Hindus. pic.twitter.com/iI6T9ODSQm

— Radharamn Das राधारमण दास (@RadharamnDas) September 10, 2024

This decree, presented as a measure to maintain law and order, has sparked outrage among Hindus, with many likening it to a “Talibani” order.

The Decree: Control Disguised as Law and Order

Bangladesh’s Home Affairs Adviser, Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, met with leaders of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad and addressed the media following their discussion.

He announced that Puja committees must stop using sound systems during Azan and Namaz, with the stated aim of ensuring public order during the festivities.

The adviser further claimed that the movement of the Hindu community caused disturbances during Durga Puja and outlined measures to prevent cross-border travel between India and Bangladesh during the celebrations.

Despite assurances of security for the Hindu community, the decree raises serious concerns. Chowdhury mentioned that non-Hindu citizens would be recruited as volunteers to ensure security at Puja pandals, asserting that volunteers would not be limited to Hindus.

While this may appear as a benign administrative measure, it effectively puts Hindu celebrations under the control of non-Hindu volunteers, opening the door to potential threats against Hindus during their most sacred festival.

A reduction in the number of Puja pandals from 33,431 last year to 32,666 this year adds to the worry. Though seemingly minor, it signals the slow erosion of Hindu cultural freedom in Bangladesh.

The Sinister Plan Behind the Decree

On the surface, the decree might appear to be a simple directive to maintain peace. However, the inclusion of non-Hindu volunteers as security personnel reflects a deeper agenda. By controlling the safety of Hindus through non-Hindu volunteers, Bangladesh’s administration is ensuring that Hindus have no real control over their own festivals.

The so-called “peaceful community,” known for attacking Hindus in the past, now positions itself as both the attacker and the defender.

This strategy highlights the broader reality for Hindus in Bangladesh. What if these volunteers refuse to defend the Hindu community against violent extremists? What happens if they side with their “brothers” in the Muslim Brotherhood, who have been at the forefront of religious violence? It leaves Hindus defenseless, and vulnerable to threats from the same group expected to protect them.

Hindus have not lacked volunteers for their own protection. Yet, the government’s insistence on having “any citizen” as a volunteer, regardless of religious background, shows a blatant disregard for the security concerns of the Hindu community.

It’s as if Hindus are being treated like cattle, their opinions and safety secondary to the whims of the ruling powers. They are forced to abide by rules that do not consider their interests but rather further the control of anti-Hindu elements.

The Sad Reality of Hindus in Bangladesh

Hindus in Bangladesh live under constant fear, at the mercy of a government and community that sees them as second-class citizens. Their festivals meant to be joyous and celebratory, are increasingly marred by restrictions and potential threats. This latest decree is another step in a long line of discriminatory policies aimed at controlling and suppressing the Hindu minority.

Much like cattle, Hindus are kept under control, waiting for the inevitable. It’s only a matter of time before the authorities and those in power decide they are “ripe” for further violence, as seen during the repeated attacks on Hindu festivals.

The government’s sinister plot to control Hindu celebrations is a reflection of how the peacefuls, known for their violent acts against Hindus, have infiltrated positions of power, further marginalizing the Hindu community.

This sad reality is compounded by the growing intolerance from the peaceful community, which continues to push Hindus into a corner. Hindus in Bangladesh are slowly being stripped of their ability to celebrate their faith freely and without fear, reduced to living under the control of those who seek their downfall.

In the end, Hindus in Bangladesh are left with little choice but to follow the dictates of a government that treats them like cattle, unable to voice their concerns or defend their faith. The day when they are metaphorically “ripe for the slaughter” seems closer than ever, as they wait for the blade to fall, all while living at the mercy of their oppressors.