Leaders of the Bangladesh Hindu Association, representing Bangladesh-origin Hindus in the UK, have praised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visionary leadership for the remarkable economic development as well as her exemplary steps to establish a secular and oppression-free democratic Bangladesh. They called on Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen in London on Saturday (September 30, 2023), said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday (October 01, 2023). The Association raised their concerns over the welfare of their fellow members and relatives in Bangladesh during the Durga Puja and upcoming election. The Foreign Minister assured them that strict precautionary measures and necessary steps would be taken during the Durga Puja and upcoming election to protect the Hindus. Dr Momen emphasized the Bangladesh government’s commitment to ensure religious peace, harmony, and security. Read: ‘Battle is between secular and non-secular forces, which one does UK choose?’: Bangladesh High Commissioner The Bangladesh Hindu Association thanked and appreciated the Foreign Minister for his support and commitments to safeguard the values of the Hindus and other religious communities. Foreign Minister Dr Momen also praised their role in connecting Bangladeshi-origin Hindus with the UK and urged them to represent Bangladesh’s religious harmonies as well as the nation's achievements. The Hindu association handed over a petition to the Foreign Minister to ensure the protection and safety of their relatives. Mr. Proshanta Datta Purokayastha, BEM, Chairman of the association, led the group. Read: British MPs, diplomats express solidarity with Bangabandhu’s secular, progressive values Rabin Paul, Vice Chairman, Haradhan Bhowmik, Vice Chairman, Prasanta Kumar Dutta, Vice Chairman, Sujith Chowdhury, General Secretary, Biswajit Dey, Treasurer, Kankan Kanti Ghosh, Joint Treasurer, Bappy Dam, Women Organizing Secretary, Arjun Kumar Datta, Deputy Organizing Secretary, Sushanta Kumar Halder, Entertainment Secretary, and Dr Debabrata Chowdhury, Member, attended the meeting. Read more: Bangabandhu's killing designed to destroy secular spirit of Liberation War: Speakers

Hindus across Bangladesh are celebrating Mahalaya, the auspicious occasion that heralds the advent of Goddess Durga, today. Considered as a ceremonial invocation of Goddess Durga, Mahalaya is observed a week prior to Durga Puja, the largest religious festival of the Hindu community. Hindus believe the earth prepares itself and welcomes the coming of the Goddess and her children, through the celebrations. Read:Disappointment in Bagerhat as Shikdar Bari avoids large-scale Durga Puja celebration for third year running Durga Puja will begin on October 1 on the day of Maha Shashthi. Goddess Durga will come to the earth (Martyalok) riding an elephant (gaja) through the Maha Sashthi Puja this year. On Mahalaya, the Mahanagar Sarbajanin Puja Committee has arranged special programmes at Dhakeshwari Temple from 6am. On this day, Hindus remember and pay homage to their deceased ancestors by performing a puja, and offering Brahmins clothes, food and sweets in their names. This year there will be 32,168 Puja mandaps across the country. Installation of CCTV cameras has been made compulsory at all puja mandaps ahead of Durga Puja to ensure security, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan  said. Read:Durga puja: A festival that unites Bangladesh! To ensure security at the puja mandaps, additional forces of law enforcement agencies will be deployed as per necessary. Besides, Durga Puja organisers have been told to deploy volunteers to ensure security. The authorities concerned have been asked to provide wristbands to volunteers that will help the police to identify them.

The Hindu community in Bangladesh celebrated Janmashtami, marking the birth of Lord Krishna, on Thursday with due religious fervor and festivities. According to Hindu religion, Lord Vishnu incarnated in the universe as Lord Krishna in the prison of Raja Kangsa on this day, the eighth of “Shukla Pakkha” (bright fortnight) in the month of Bengali calendar Bhadra in Dwapara Yuga in order to protect “Dharma” from the hands of devils. Sri Krishna was born to Devaki and her husband Vasudeva in Mathura. The day was a public holiday. President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina greeted members of the Hindu community on the occasion, in separate messages. In his message, the President said, “Lord Sri Krishna's philosophy was to remove injustice, oppression and violence from the society and build a bond of genuine love and harmony among people." “I call upon the Hindu community people to stand by the helpless and distressed people of the society following the philosophy of Lord Sri Krishna," he added. Read: Janmashtami to be celebrated on Thursday In her message, the Prime Minister said the Awami League government is determined to maintain communal harmony in the country. “I believe that Sri Krishna's ideals and lessons will strengthen the thousand year-old communal harmony, friendship and brotherhood of Bengalis.” The PM urged the Hindus to celebrate Janmashtami, maintaining social distancing norms. She also wished happiness, welfare and peace of the citizens of the country. Besides, national dailies published special articles while Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television and other private TV channels and radio stations aired special programmes highlighting different aspects of the eventful life of Lord Krishna.

Durga Puja, the biggest festival of Bengali Hindus, has come to an end on Friday with the immersion of the Goddess Durga’s idols across the country in tight security. According to the beliefs of the Hindus, the goddess Durga has returned to her husband's house at Kailash in Devaloy (heaven) through immersion.