Reports have emerged of a violent incident in Dhaka, Bangladesh, where anti-social elements attacked a Hindu Durga Puja pandal with a petrol bomb on October 11. This attack occurred in the Tati Bazar area of Old Dhaka, leading to chaos and a stampede among the attendees. Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud explosion, prompting panic as the attackers fled the scene. A video shared on an account named “Voice of Bangladesh Hindu” showed an injured individual being transported to the hospital following the incident. This attack has provoked significant outrage within the Hindu community, particularly as threats against them had been reported prior to the Durga Puja celebrations.
In a related context, tensions within the Hindu community have escalated due to an incident during Durga Puja celebrations in Chittagong, where a group performed an Islamic song on stage. Asis Bhattacharya, the President of the Puja Committee, acknowledged the event, stating that they were occupied with guests when some attendees began singing an Islamic song. He assured that the authorities would take legal action against those involved. Local police are currently investigating the matter.
Additionally, the Hindu community faced another setback when the crown of Goddess Kali was reported stolen from the Jeshoreshwari Temple in Shyamnagar, Satkhira. The crown, gifted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Bangladesh in March 2021, was discovered missing after the temple priest left the premises. Cleaning staff later alerted authorities, prompting a review of the temple’s CCTV footage to identify the thief.
In response to the crown’s theft, the Indian High Commission in Dhaka expressed deep concern, urging the Bangladeshi government to investigate the incident, recover the stolen crown, and take action against the perpetrators.
