No Durga Puja Activities During Azaan, Namaaz? Bangladesh Govt's Special Request To Hindu Committees

Amid concerns of possible unrest during Durga puja, the interim government of Bangladesh led by Muhammad Yunus has ‘requested’ the country’s Hindu community to halt their Durga puja-related activities, especially playing any musical instrument five minutes before azaan and during namaaz.

“Such activities need to cease during offering namaaz, and the pause will have to be followed from five minutes prior to azaan,” Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury was quoted as saying by Times of India.

The Home Affairs Adviser further informed that the committees have accepted the government’s request and have agreed to keep musical instruments and sound systems switched off during azaan and namaz.

In addition to the sound restrictions, Chowdhury assured that the Hindu community will be provided with heightened security measures during the festivities. He stated that the government is also working to provide round-the-clock security at all puja venues, starting from the construction of the idols, to prevent any disruptions or criminal activities.

“We are committed to ensuring that the Durga Puja celebrations proceed without any hindrance,” Dhaka Tribune quoted the Bangladesh Home Affairs Adviser as saying.

Durga puja will be celebrated from October 9 to 13 and more puja pandals will reportedly be built this year in Bangladesh compared to 2023. Last year, the number of the puja mandap was 33, 431 and the number is likely to exceed this year.

Muhammad Yunus Calls For Religious Harmony

Bangladesh’s interim government’s chief adviser, Muhammad Yunus, in an address to the nation, called for communal harmony in the country. “We are a nation of communal harmony. No one shall do any act that destroys religious harmony,” he said, Times of India reported.

“Any person found violating this harmony will face strict legal consequences,” Yunus said.

In fact, the interim government on Sunday warned potential troublemakers ahead of Durga puja celebrations and pledged tough action against those disrupting communal harmony or targeting places of worship during the Hindu festival.