Bangladesh Hindu :-The incidents happening against the Hindu community in Bangladesh remain a matter of concern. Recently there have been reports that the Hindu community is being prevented from celebrating Durga Puja
Bangladesh Hindu:-In recent times, incidents of atrocities on the Hindu community have been coming to the fore in Bangladesh, which has posed a serious threat to peace and communal harmony in the country. The incidents of targeting Hindus have increased since the government of Mohammad Yunus came to power. On the occasion of Durga Puja, an order has been issued to the Hindu community to pay a huge amount in the form of Jaziya tax, which is a direct attack on their religious freedom.
1. Ban on Durga Puja and Jaziya tax
Committees organizing Durga Puja in Bangladesh are facing obstacles from the government and some Muslim organizations. There have been reports of Jaziya tax of Rs 5 lakh per pandal being demanded from Puja committees. This tax is an attempt to put pressure on the religious event of the Hindu community. Many committees have decided not to organize Puja due to this.
At present, Sharadiya Navratri has started, but tension remains in various areas of Bangladesh regarding Durga Puja. Some Puja committees have not been allowed to organize Durga Puja. The committees which have been given permission have been instructed to maintain peace during the time of Namaz, in which it has been said to stop organizing puja and bhajans.
2. Increasing attacks on Hindus
Incidents of attacks on religious places of Hindu community are coming from many parts of Bangladesh. Recently, the new Durga idol was vandalized at Batrish Gopinath Jiur Akhara in Kishoreganj. Apart from this, a newly built Durga idol was also damaged in Comilla district and the donation box of the temple was looted. Durga temple was also attacked in Mirapara of Narayanganj district, which has spread panic among the people there.
These attacks make it clear that Hindu religious places in Bangladesh are being targeted in a planned manner. Radical elements are trying to spread hatred among the communities by taking advantage of this situation, due to which the atmosphere of tension and unrest is increasing in the country.
3. Sour relations with India
After the arrival of the interim government of Mohammad Yunus, Bangladesh has deliberately taken steps to weaken its relations with India. Since the removal of Sheikh Hasina’s government, the new government of Bangladesh has adopted an uncooperative attitude towards India. Recently, Bangladesh announced the recall of five ambassadors, including the ambassador posted in India.
After the removal of Sheikh Hasina from power, a negative atmosphere towards India seems to be forming in Bangladesh politics. Bangladesh has also tried to blame India for floods and other natural disasters, which has further increased the tension between the two countries.
4. Religious intolerance and communalism
The way the Hindu community in Bangladesh is being prevented from celebrating Durga Puja and they are being attacked is a clear example of religious intolerance. Durga Puja is an important festival of Hinduism, but the communal hatred spread about it in Bangladesh has worsened the situation.
The atrocities against the Hindu community in Bangladesh, the ban on Durga Puja and the attempt to collect huge amounts of money in the form of Jaziya tax show that the government and fundamentalist elements there are not respecting religious freedom. Along with this, the souring of relations with India and the incidents promoting communal tension have also raised questions on regional stability.