As the Sharadiya Durga Puja celebrations approach, a prominent organization representing the Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian communities in Bangladesh has voiced growing apprehension regarding the safety and security of devotees. The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council stated that despite assurances from high-ranking government officials, including the Chief Adviser, Army Chief, and Home Affairs Adviser, anxieties persist on the eve of the festival.
This concern stems from a series of recent attacks on temples and পূজা mandaps (temporary structures erected for the পূজা) across the country. The organization highlighted that between September 2 and September 23, there had been attacks on at least nine পূজা mandaps and temples, with instances of idol vandalism.
Several incidents have contributed to the heightened sense of insecurity. For instance, six idols were vandalized at the Haritala Sarbojanin Puja Mandir in Jhenaidah, and another idol was desecrated at a temple in Satkhira. Other reports of disturbances have emerged from Chattogram, Kurigram and Chapainawabganj. Just days before Durga Puja 2025, miscreants vandalized the Sri Sri Rakha Kali temple in Kushtia’s Mirpur upazila during a blackout.
The rise in violence against temples and minorities has been a worrying trend, particularly since the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government assumed power in August 2024. Following the August 5 collapse of the Awami League government, minority communities faced over 2,000 attacks in just two weeks, including 69 assaults on temples. There have been reports of killings, abuse of women, widespread vandalism, and looting. In Khulna, some puja committees were forced to cancel celebrations due to extortion letters and threats. Petrol bombs were even hurled at puja pandals in Old Dhaka, causing stampedes.
In response to the growing unease, community leaders are urging the authorities to provide year-round protection for religious minorities and their places of worship, rather than limiting security measures to the five days of the annual festival. Jayanta Kumar Deb, president of Mohanagar Sarbojanin Puja Committee, emphasized the need for continuous security to build a discrimination-free Bangladesh. He also called for the withdrawal of what he described as false and baseless cases against minority leaders and innocent people. Basudev Dhar, president of the Puja Udjapan Parishad, raised concerns about the implication of many Hindus in fabricated cases and appealed to the interim government to allow them to participate in the festival. Subrata Chowdhury, advisor of the Parishad, demanded punishment under law for those responsible for vandalizing idols and temples.
Despite the anxieties, preparations for Durga Puja 2025 are underway. Across Bangladesh, more than 33,000 mandaps are being constructed. Authorities have assured measures for safety, including the deployment of CCTV, police, RAB, Ansar, and 80,000 volunteers nationwide. The Home Affairs Advisor in the interim government stated that each puja mandap would be guarded by Ansar personnel and volunteers.
The upcoming Durga Puja arrives with a sense of anxiety, as minorities brace for another year of insecurity. The festival, once a celebration of faith and community, now carries the burden of vigilance, resilience, and a plea for unity. Citizens, particularly youth and minorities, are urged to remain steadfast, ensuring that Durga Puja remains a symbol not just of devotion, but of courage in adversity.
