United News of Bangladesh

Hindus across the country celebrated Kumari Puja on the Maha Ashtami on Monday as part of Durga Puja. The main attraction of Maha Ashtami is Kumari Puja where a pre-pubescent girl is worshipped as “Mother Goddess”. In the capital, hundreds of Hindu devotees offered Anjali (prayers) before the virgin Goddess at Ramkrishna Mission Temple seeking blessings for peace, prosperity, welfare, fraternity and changing of their lot.

A total of eight platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been deployed to ensure security at Durga Puja mandaps in the district town and border areas of Naogaon on the occasion of the Hindu community’s biggest religious festival. The deployment aims to ensure a safe, peaceful, and festive atmosphere during Durga Puja 2026, which began on Friday, a press release from the Naogaon Battalion (16 BGB) said. Of the eight platoons, three from different Border Outposts (BOPs) are providing security at mandaps within an eight-kilometre radius of the border, while another three from the battalion headquarters are covering mandaps within a three-kilometre radius of the headquarters. The remaining two platoons have been kept on standby at the battalion headquarters to respond to any emergency. BGB conducted preparatory patrols around the puja mandaps from October 10 to 15. From Friday, BGB personnel will conduct further patrols in coordination with other law enforcement agencies to maintain security throughout the battalion’s area of responsibility. According to the release, seven Puja mandaps are located within eight kilometres of the border in the battalion’s jurisdiction. Of these, four are in Porsha upazila under Nitpur BOP, while three are in Sapahar upazila—one under Hapania BOP and two under Bamanpara BOP. The remaining 43 mandaps are located within a three-kilometre radius of the battalion headquarters in Naogaon town, bringing the total number of mandaps under the security arrangements to 50. Meanwhile, 16 BGB Commanding Officer Lt Col Mohammad Ariful Islam Masum has visited several Puja mandaps to assess security arrangements and the law-and-order situation. He also exchanged views with people involved in organising the festival and provided financial assistance to the mandaps on the occasion of Durga Puja.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Friday has formed a 12-member monitoring committee ahead of Durga Puja, the biggest religious festival of the Hindu community. BNP Joint Secretary General Khairul Kabir Khokon has been made convener of the committee, while another Joint Secretary General of the party, Syed Emran Saleh Prince, has been named its member secretary. The names of the committee members were announced in a press release signed by BNP Assistant Office Secretary Muhammad Munir Hossain on night. The other members of the committee are BNP National Executive Committee Assistant Organising Secretary Jayanta Kumar Kundu, Assistant Secretary for Marginalised People Development Aparna Roy Das, Assistant Secretaries for Religious Affairs Amalendu Das Apu and John Gomes, and National Executive Committee members Advocate Nipun Roy Chowdhury and Ramesh Dutta. The committee also includes Jubo Dal central committee Labour Affairs Secretary Partha Dey Mondal, former Vice-President of the central committee of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal Joydeb Roy, former student leader Milton Baidya, and Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahas, president of Dhaka University Chhatra Dal.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday pledged to build a Bangladesh where religion, race or identity will not stand in the way of anyone’s rights and opportunities, with equal rights and dignity for every citizen. “We want to build a Bangladesh where religion, race or identity will not stand in the way of people’s rights and opportunities. Our goal is to ensure equal rights and dignity for every citizen of the country,” he said. The Prime Minister made the remarks at a view-exchange meeting with representatives of the Hindu and Buddhist communities at his office at the Secretariat, said his Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Hossain Shadhin. During the meeting, representatives of the Hindu community thanked the Prime Minister for extending the government holiday for Durga Puja, saying the decision has added to the festive joy of the Hindu community. The representatives of the Hindu and Buddhist communities also raised various problems, needs and demands before the Prime Minister. Tarique Rahman listened to their views and assured them that the government is sincerely working for the welfare of people from all communities. “We will make our utmost efforts to do whatever is possible on behalf of the government. Your reasonable demands and problems will be considered with importance,” he said. The Hindu community representatives invited the Prime Minister to visit different Durga Puja mandaps during five-day Durga Puja beginning on October 17.  

No evidence of sexual harassment has been found in the medical report over the alleged rape of an indigenous girl in Khagrachhari district, said Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Sunday. He made the statement following a meeting of the law and order core committee at the Secretariat. It has already been proved that the collaborators of the fascist elements hatched conspiracy to create unrest in the Chittagong Hill Tracts over the alleged rape of the girl and by placing a beard on the demon’s face in the Durga Puja mandap to destabilise the communal harmony, the adviser said. He said, “While the Durga Puja idol was being made in a neighbouring country, reports emerged showing our respected Chief Adviser being portrayed in a derogatory manner, and his connection is also seen in the act of placing a beard on the demon’s face.” After eight days, Section 144 to be lifted in Khagrachhari The adviser praised the law enforcement agencies and intelligence services for actively monitoring the situation, working alongside the Puja committees to prevent the conspiracies. On September 23, the eight-grader girl was allegedly raped by three youths in Khagrachhari Sadar upazila, triggering criticism. On the next day, the victim’s father filed a case against three unidentified people with the police station concerned. Later, the police, with army assistance, arrested a suspect, Shoyon Sheel, who is now in custody for interrogation. Unrest broke out when protests demanding punishment began under the banner of ‘Jumma Chhatra Janata,’ including indefinite road blockades. On September 27, the local administration imposed Section 144 for an indefinite period amid escalating tensions. Khagrachhari Violence: 1, 000 unidentified people sued in 3 cases On September 28, at least three people were killed and several others injured as protesters clashed with law enforcement at Ramessu Bazar in Guimara upazila during the indefinite blockade. Later, a five member panel was formed to investigate the incident. October 1, police filed three separate cases against 1,000 unidentified people over the recent violence in Khagrachhari Sadar and Guimara upazilas for attacks on law enforcers and murders.

Durga Puja, the biggest festival of Bengali Hindu community, ended on Thursday with the immersion of the idols of Goddess Durga and her children in water bodies across the country amid festivity. According to Hindu belief, the goddess Durga has returned to her husband's house at Kailash in Devaloy (heaven) through immersion. In the capital, thousands of people thronged the Buriganga River on Thursday to observe the final phase of the festival -- immersion of the goddess. Hindu devotees from different parts of the city came to the ghat in trucks carrying idols while singing hymns to Durga with the sounds of musical instruments such as 'Shankha', 'Khol', 'Dhak'. Devotees were seen bidding farewell to the mother deity and her children - Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartik and Ganesh - through the immersion of their idols, wishing Durga's return next year.  

The five-day Durga Puja, the largest religious festival of the minority Hindu community, ends today with the immersion of the idol of Goddess Durga across Bangladesh, including the capital. Devotees thronged puja mandaps on the last day of the festival, Bijoya Dashami, offering flowers to the goddess Durga and seeking her blessings. Puja mandaps across the country were placed with beautiful idols, showcasing the goddess in all her glory. Bijoya Dashami is a special ceremony of reaffirming peace and good relations among people.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam on Tuesday said the highest level of security has been ensured across the country to ensure peaceful celebration of Durga Puja, the largest religious festival of the Hindu community. A total of 31,606 mandaps have been set up nationwide and except for a few isolated incidents, festivities have been proceeding smoothly, he said at a press briefing at the police headquarters. “So far, police have taken cognisance of 49 incidents related to Durga Puja. A total of 15 cases have been filed and 19 people arrested in connection with those incidents,” he added. DMP vows foolproof security for Durga Puja celebrations Baharul Alam said security has been maintained at every mandap regardless of its risk level. “We are keeping strict vigilance to preserve the long-standing communal harmony of the country.” Regarding rumors, the IGP said false and outdated videos are often circulated on social media to incite communal unrest. “Our cyber unit is monitoring these matters closely and verifying incidents to prevent misinformation,” he added.

BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Tuesday warned of possible subversive acts during Durga Puja and urged national unity to resist ‘evil forces’. “There are plots and conspiracies, but together, beyond religion and community, we will resist them. The people of this country have always broken the webs of conspiracies, and this time too, the evil forces will not succeed,” he said. The BNP leader made the remarks while talking to reporters after visiting the Puja mandap at the Jagannath Hall of Dhaka University. He said a defeated force had planned various subversive activities centring on Durga Puja this year as well. “But, as in the past, these attempts have failed.” Rizvi said conspiracies and plots still exist, both inside and outside the country, and efforts are being made to spread misinformation and false propaganda. “Butt, it is the sense of solidarity and the bonds of harmony among the people that have successfully resisted these conspiracies.” Salahuddin warns of plots against Bangladesh’s democratic transition He said despite all conspiracies, this year’s Puja is being celebrated in a joyful and festive atmosphere across the country. “Puja is not only a religious festival, it is also a symbol of Bangladesh’s centuries-old communal harmony. This festival has created a spirit of celebration among all people.” Rizvi called on the government to ensure the rights and safety of all communities to maintain peace and harmony. “State security must be foolproof so that no provocation or evil attempt can succeed,” he said. Later, at another event, Rizvi said both domestic and foreign conspiracies are actively underway, with the main target being the Zia family and nationalist forces. Speaking to a delegation of the Association of Engineers Bangladesh (AEB) who visited BNP’s Nayapaltan office in the afternoon, he warned that attempts are being made to disturb communal peace and create unrest in various parts of the country and called on all pro-democracy political parties and citizens to remain alert. Rizvi alleges ‘deep conspiracies’ surrounding Puja celebrations Rizvi said those who do not trust democracy are deliberately playing games with the election process and attempting to disrupt it through various methods. He also said the country’s young people have been denied their voting rights for over 10 years and they will not forgive any attempt to disrupt the national election.

Hindus across the country celebrated Kumari Puja on the Maha Ashtami on Tuesday as part of the five-day Durga Puja. The main attraction of Maha Ashtami is Kumari Puja where a pre-pubescent girl is worshipped as “Mother Goddess”. In the capital city, hundreds of Hindu devotees offered Anjali (prayers) before the virgin Goddess at Ramkrishna temple seeking blessings for peace, prosperity, welfare, fraternity and changing of their lot. The worshipped girl symbolises the power that regulates creation, stability and destruction on earth.