New Delhi: The new interim government of Bangladesh under Muhammad Yunus has asked the Hindu community to avoid playing musical instruments as part of Durga Puja celebrations during namaz and azan, local media reports said.
Bangladesh’s Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (retired) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Tuesday said that puja committees have been asked to turn off sound systems and avoid playing musical instruments during azan and namaz, adding that the organisers had agreed to the request, India Today reported.
Speaking to the media, Chowdhury said that a total of 32,666 puja pandals will be set up across Bangladesh this year, surpassing last year’s 33,431.
Notably, the government’s directive came weeks after attacks on the minority Hindu community in the country following student protests against quotas in education and jobs for the descendants of Bangladesh’s freedom fighters, and the subsequent ouster of former Prime Minister Shiekh Hasina.
Asked about attacks on religious places, including a recent incident at Shah Poran’s shrine, Lt. General Chowdhury was quoted as saying, “I don’t know anything about the attack on the Shah Poran shrine. However, it is my responsibility to ensure security so that no attack is launched. Law enforcers have been given directives in this regard”.
Chowdhury further assured that security will be provided to Puja organisers from the time of the making of idols. “We have discussed how to ensure round-the-clock security at the puja mandaps. Measures will be taken to facilitate celebration of puja without any hindrance and prevent the evil activities of miscreants”, he told the media.
