Since October 1, 35 Durga Puja incidents in Bangladesh, 17 arrests world news

The Hindu minority – Hindus make up just 8 percent of Bangladesh's 170 million people – have suffered vandalism to their businesses, property and destruction of temples during the student-led violence that began after the overthrow of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. August 15.

Since October 1, 35 incidents related to the ongoing Durga Puja celebrations have taken place across the country, resulting in 11 cases, 24 General Gazette (GD) entries and 17 arrests being registered, Dhaka Tribune quoted Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md. as saying. Mainul Islam, he says.

After visiting the Banani Puja Mandap in Dhaka on Friday, Islam told reporters that Durga Puja is celebrated in over 32,000 mandaps across the country.

The IGP's visit was prompted after Hindus in Bangladesh woke up with shock on Friday as news spread of the theft of a handmade gold crown (crown) from the Jashoreswari Kali temple in Satkhira on Thursday during his 2021 visit to Bangladesh.

The incident prompted the Indian High Commission to ask the Bangladesh government to investigate the theft and take action against the perpetrators, as well as to restore the crown.

IGP Islam assured that the police had files on those responsible for the incident and said: Those involved in these obstructions will be held accountable. We will take strict action if anyone tries to create disorder or engage in immoral activities during Durga Puja.

In response to a question about the Chittagong attack, the IGP said two people were arrested in Thursday's raid and inquiries were underway to ascertain the motive.

Earlier on Thursday, half a dozen people sang a song calling for an Islamic revolution on the stage of the Durga Puja mandap at Jatra Mohan Sen Hall in Chittagong, about 250 km southeast of Dhaka, sparking widespread outrage, bdnews24.com reported.

The Business Standard newspaper reported that the Chittagong Metropolitan Police arrested two people on Friday for allegedly singing a song calling for an Islamic revolution.

A case was filed against Chittagong Puja Committee joint general secretary Sajal Dutta and seven people in connection with the incident.

Hillol Sen Ujjal, general secretary of the Chittagong Puja Udjakar Parishad, told The Daily Star that the incident had shocked the local Hindu community and created a tense situation in the area.

Video of the event was posted on social media, sparking further outrage.

On Friday, police in Bangladesh said they had identified the person involved in the theft of the gold crown and launched a large-scale operation to recover it.

A private news channel showed a young man in a white T-shirt and jeans sneaking into the temple when no one was there, putting the gold part of the crown into his pocket and then taking it.

It may be simple theft or an organized conspiracy. Krishna Mukherjee, leader of the Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist Unity Council, said we demand a proper investigation into the matter and bring those involved to justice.

Meanwhile, state news agency Bangladesh News Agency (BASS) reported that the commanders of the three forces – Army General Waqer-uz-Jamaa, Navy Chief Admiral M. Nazmul Hasan and Air Chief Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmud Khan – visited the Raman temple on Friday Kali in Dhaka.

Youth and Sports Advisor Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan exchanged greetings with members of the Hindu community during the Durga Puja Mandap at Gallamari Harichand Tagore and Bagmara Govind temples in Khulna.

On Sunday, Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus is expected to visit the century-old Dhakeshwari National Temple, the famous Shaktapeeth, in the heart of the national capital.

Early last month, amid threats from Islamist groups weeks before Durga Puja celebrations, the caretaker government's adviser on religious matters AFM Khalid Hussain warned of stringent action against those disturbing social harmony or targeting places of worship during the Hindu festival.