Days ahead of Durga Puja, radical Islamist groups in Bangladesh have threatened puja committees and temples that they won't be allowed to celebrate the festival unless they paid 5 lakh Bangladeshi taka. Durga puja will be celebrated from October 9 to 13.
The development, which comes on the back of attacks on minorities during the student protests in Bangladesh, saw several members express concern and fear ahead of the biggest Hindu festival in Bangladesh. Hindu community members said there have been several incidents of extortion threats and vandalism of Durga idols.
Most of the incidents have been reported from the Dakop area of Khulna district. Several puja committees have received anonymous letters threatening that they would not be allowed to celebrate Durga Puja and there would be repercussions if they failed to make the payment.
There have been several reports of vandalisation of idols as well. On September 22, a group of boys of a madrasa vandalised Durga idols in Raypur area in Lakshmigonj district. Idols were also vandalised at Phuljhuri Galachipa temple in Barguna district.
Recently, the Hindu community members met the concerned authorities in Chittagong and Khulna districts and lodged a complaint.
The Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council, a human rights organisation, condemned the recent attacks on minority communities and the desecration of their properties following the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government. The council has urged the Dr Muhammad Yunus-led government to take strong legal action against the perpetrators.
The council has established a six-member monitoring cell to oversee the situation and ensure the safety of minority communities.
Kushal Chakraborty, president of Sanatan Bidyarthi Sansad in Chittagong district, told the Hindus were gearing up for Durga Puja amid an atmosphere of fear.
"There is fear in our minds. We are trying to reach out to the government for our safety. Idols have been vandalised in places like Faridpur, Khulna and several others. We are preparing for Durga Puja, but there is fear," he said.
Vivekanand Ray, a local Hindu committee leader from Sathkira district, said it would be difficult for Hindus to celebrate Durga Puja freely this year.
"Some extremists vandalised our Durga idols and even the pandals. We are preparing for Durga Puja, but it looks like this year it is going to be very difficult for Hindus to celebrate our biggest festival as the government has become a spectator and the police are of no help," Ray said.
