Bangladesh Prepares for Durga Puja Amid Minority Security Concerns Raised by Sheikh Hasina

Bangladesh is preparing for Durga Puja, its biggest Hindu festival, with 33,851 celebrations scheduled across the country this year, even as former prime minister Sheikh Hasina has raised concerns over the safety and security of religious minorities.

In her message on Sharadiya Durgotsav on Thursday, Hasina expressed a “deep sense of insecurity” among religious and ethnic minorities, alleging continued attacks on temples, homes and members of minority communities since her government was ousted on August 5, 2024, following a student-led uprising.

“Since 5 August 2024, one incident after another of killings, persecution, vandalism of idols, attacks on temples and homes, seizure of property, extortion, violence against women and intimidation has continued to take place against minority communities across the country,” Hasina said.

She alleged that the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus had allowed an environment of impunity, weakening the rule of law and emboldening those responsible for violence. Hasina also accused the administration of targeting political opponents and Awami League leaders and supporters. These allegations were made in her message and were not independently verified in the reports.

Calling for communal harmony, Hasina said Bangladesh’s founding ideals envisaged equal rights, dignity and security for people of all faiths. She reiterated the Awami League’s stated commitment to religious freedom and recalled its 2024 election manifesto pledges to establish a National Minority Commission and enact a Minority Protection Act.

“To my Sanatan brothers and sisters, I want to say: you are not alone. This country is yours too,” she said, urging Awami League members and other citizens who believe in communal harmony to stand alongside Hindu communities and avoid provocations.

Her remarks come amid concerns over reported attacks on Hindu places of worship, vandalism of idols and Durga Puja pandals. The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council has also criticised the arrangements for this year’s celebrations, describing the need for tight security involving police, drones and political party leaders and activists as “saddening and unfortunate”.

The Council said such conditions curtail religious freedom and undermine Bangladesh’s international image.

Festivities Begin Friday

Despite the security concerns, preparations for the five-day festival are gathering pace across Bangladesh. Celebrations begin Friday with Maha Shashthi, as devotees prepare to welcome Goddess Durga through prayers, rituals and community gatherings.

According to the Bangladesh Puja Celebration Committee, 33,851 pujas are being organised nationwide this year, up from 32,351 in 2025. Dhaka is scheduled to host around 258 pujas, compared with 261 last year. The figures include idol worship at community venues as well as celebrations in individual households.

Santosh Sharma, general secretary of the Bangladesh Puja Celebration Committee, said the festivities were being celebrated with enthusiasm. The government has extended the general holiday by one day, taking the official holiday period to three days. Combined with the weekend and additional days off, the break could extend to five days for some people.

The holiday has encouraged people living in Dhaka and other urban centres to return to their hometowns and villages to celebrate with family.

“This year, many people are leaving Dhaka and other big cities to return to their village homes. Therefore, the festive spirit is even stronger this year,” Kajol Debnath, former president of the Bangladesh Puja Celebrations Committee, told ANI.

The festival is also drawing visitors from across the border. Shiksha Rani Das, an 82-year-old resident of Kolkata, has travelled to Bangladesh to celebrate Durga Puja. She is visiting the pandals at Dhakeshwari National Temple in Dhaka and plans to travel to Sylhet.

“I am very happy to be here in Bangladesh, witnessing the celebration of Durga Puja, the festival of the Goddess,” Das told ANI.

Durga Puja holds deep religious and cultural significance for Bangladesh’s Hindu community and Bengalis worldwide. This year’s celebrations bring together the anticipation of a major religious festival and continuing concerns over whether minority worshippers can observe it in safety.

With inputs from ANI