New Delhi: Several instances of vandalism at Durga Puja pandals and attacks on temples have been reported in the last few days in Bangladesh following communal tension in Chattogram (earlier known as Chittagong) over an alleged incident of besmirching the Quran.
According to a UNI report, several incidents of vandalism were reported in Chattogram’s Cumilla over the alleged besmirching incident Wednesday.
Earlier, the Bangladesh Hindu Unity Council claimed a Durga idol was vandalised in Kotwali, Chattogram, Monday, following which the police have arrested one accused. Another statue was vandalised in Rustampur village in Dhaka the same day. Another incident was reported from Joypurhat.
3rd incident. The attack took place on the road while the Durga idol was being entered in the puja mandapa in Kotwali, Chittagong. Police have arrested one. Protests are going on in the streets of Kotwali in Chittagong. https://t.co/G0LWtgvZlq pic.twitter.com/dvyd5TW1vC
— Bangladesh Hindu Unity Council (@UnityCouncilBD) October 10, 2021
Moreover, temples have reportedly been attacked in Chandpur’s Hajiganj, Chattogram’s Banshkhali, Chapainawabganj’s Shibganj and Cox’s Bazar’s Pekua.
The ruling Awami League’s General Secretary Obaidul Quader has said neither those who attacked the Durga idols nor those involved in the desecration of Quran will be spared, UNB reported.
“It’s an act of an evil communal force, and those who attack Hindu temples won’t be spared either, even if they belong to any party”, Quader was quoted as saying while addressing a Mahashtami event in Dhaka Wednesday.
The trigger
The communal tension reportedly started when a Quran copy was placed at a Durga Puja pandal in Nanua Dighir Par in Cumilla early Wednesday.
Al-Quran has been publicly insulted at the Uttarpara Puja Mandapa in Nanua Dighi in Comilla city.
They have shown the courage to insult the Holy Qur'an by placing it at the feet of the their worship idol. (1/3)#Bangladesh pic.twitter.com/ilrj8WTZrA
— Juel Ahmed (@paradoxicaljuel) October 13, 2021
Some anti-Hindu Muslim fanatics secretly put the Quran on the feet of Hanuman statue at Durga puja pandal in Comilla, Bangladesh. It is just for an excuse to attack Hindus in the name of hurting religious feelings. Hope govt will save the minority community.
— taslima nasreen (@taslimanasreen) October 13, 2021
The Bangladesh Hindu Unity Council shared the screenshot of a local resident’s post on Facebook, which alleged that the incident was planned to create communal disharmony.
Spreading rumors of insulting the Qur'an, the puja mandapa of Nanua Dighi par in Comilla was attacked. https://t.co/KmljSISWFu pic.twitter.com/4oM1gS46yJ
— Bangladesh Hindu Unity Council (@UnityCouncilBD) October 13, 2021
On Wednesday, the council wrote: “We would like to say to all Muslim brothers, do not believe the rumors. We respect the Qur’an. There is no need for Qur’an in Durga Puja. This is someone conspiring to cause a riot. There will be a fair investigation. Please don’t attack any more temples & Hindus”.
We would like to say to all Muslim brothers, do not believe the rumors. We respect the Qur'an. There is no need for Qur'an in Durga Puja. This is someone conspiring to cause a riot. There will be a fair investigation. Please don't attack any more temples & Hindus. pic.twitter.com/UzrLRtGePk
— Bangladesh Hindu Unity Council (@UnityCouncilBD) October 13, 2021
The government has placed eight units of Border Guard Bangladesh in various parts of the Chattogram district to maintain law and order.
State Minister for Religious Affairs Md Faridul Haque Khan has also warned people not to take law into their own hands, saying the local administration will investigate what really happened in Cumilla.
“We’re closely monitoring the situation in Cumilla. The local administration has been instructed to investigate what really happened. Anyone involved in destroying religious harmony must be brought under the ambit of law and arrangements be made to give proper punishment,” he said.
Also read: Bhagwat repeats Hindu-Muslim ‘bhai-bhai’ pitch, says only pattern of worship is different