United News of Bangladesh

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.  

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Sunday warned that tougher action will be taken against those spreading rumours or inciting communal unrest on social media centring Durga Puja. The adviser came up with the warning while briefing reporters after a meeting of the Core Committee on Law and Order at the Secretariat. He said that there will be 33,355 Puja mandaps across the country this year, nearly an increase by over 1000 compared to the past year. To ensure security, Ansar members have been deployed since September 24 and will remain on duty until October 2, he said, adding that nearly one lakh security personnel, including Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) platoons have been deployed for the Puja security. Besides, seven members from each Puja committee will perform round-the-clock duty, while some 80,000 volunteers assigned by the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs have been linked through the NTMC app for community-level vigilance, he said. Prof Yunus extends greetings to Hindu community on Durga Puja Nearly 70,000 police personnel are also engaged alongside intelligence surveillance at vulnerable temples, said the adviser, adding, “Rumour-mongers and communal instigators on social media will face strict action. We have already received reports of such attempts in different areas.” Responding to a query, he said, “Chief Adviser has already informed the UN that elections will be held in February. We are preparing our law-and-order measures keeping that in mind.” On possible sabotage during Puja, the adviser dismissed concerns saying that there is no threat. No security threat during Durga Puja: Home Adviser “I personally visited mandaps in Dhaka, Narayanganj and Munshiganj and found no sign of unrest. A handful of fascist collaborators are trying to spread panic, but they will not succeed,” Jahangir Alam added.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Saturday extended heartfelt greetings to the Hindu community across the country on the occasion of Durga Puja, the biggest and most significant religious festival of the community. "On this auspicious occasion of Durga Puja, I warmly greet all Hindu citizens of Bangladesh," Prof. Yunus said in a message on the eve of the festival. He highlighted that the destruction of evil forces and the celebration of truth and beauty are the core themes of the Sharadiya Durgotsab. Emphasising Bangladesh’s tradition of communal harmony, Prof Yunus said, "This country belongs to all of us and is a safe abode for everyone, regardless of caste or religion." He urged all to unite beyond religious and caste differences to continue the progress initiated by the July mass uprising, aiming to build a prosperous, discrimination and corruption-free Bangladesh. "Bangladesh stands as a unique example of harmony among people of diverse religions and communities. We all identify as Bangladeshis, regardless of race, religion, or caste," he added. Prof Yunus expressed his hope that this year’s Durga Puja will be celebrated smoothly across the country, fostering communal harmony through enthusiasm and various cultural programmes. Stressing the shared values of peace, friendship and equality inherent in all religions, he said, "The fundamental teaching of all faiths is human welfare. While practising our own religions faithfully, we must also nurture peace by maintaining mutual respect, honor and compassion." The Chief Adviser urged all to uphold the spirit of anti-discrimination, strengthen communal bonds and work together to build a happy and harmonious Bangladesh. He wished peace, welfare and prosperity to all citizens of the country. The five-day Durga Puja will begin on September 28 with Mahasashthi and conclude on October 2 with Vijaya Dashami.