Durga Puja pandal count up in Bangladesh, Hindus say ‘reduced fear’

There is cautious optimism among Bangladesh’s minority Hindu community ahead of this year’s Durga Puja. Amid reduced fear after security assurances by the govt, the number of pandals has risen to 33,851 — up 1,460 from last year.Basudeb Dhar, president of Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad (BPUP), the country’s prominent non-political, social and religious organisation representing the community, told TOI from Dhaka on Friday that they were not experiencing the same “sense of fear” which had clouded their festivities the past two years.“In the past two years, our festivities faced ban threats from some right-wing groups. There were provocative social media posts and public rallies against celebrations. This year, the situation is different. BNP-led govt wants the community to celebrate with freedom and fervour. They want to showcase Bangladesh’s diversity and rich cultural heritage before the world,” added Dhar.Dhar attended a high-level meeting chaired by home minister Salahuddin Ahmed on the security arrangements for Durga Puja, a few days ago. He also informed that govt’s Hindu Religious Welfare Trust had increased the grant for puja celebrations to Rs 5cr this year, against the previous year’s grant of Rs 4cr.Meanwhile, another BPUP member said that desecration of idols were reported from at least 11 districts last year. “This time, there’ve been four incidents so far -- in Sylhet, Rajbari, Panchagarh and Tangail districts. And the govt also promptly took necessary legal measures... Law enforcement agencies told us that their personnel will be deployed near the pandals, but organising committees should also have their volunteers to maintain a vigil,” he said, requesting anonymity.Earlier, home minister Ahmed had said: “No security risks have been reported regarding Durga Puja pandals in Bangladesh so far. Having said that, the law enforcement agencies will be on high alert with quick response protocols in place...”You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.