Bangladesh Deploys High Security for Durga Puja Celebrations
Bangladesh implements extensive security and financial support for Durga Puja, with leaders from Bangladesh and India emphasizing communal harmony and the triumph of justice.
Bangladesh is celebrating Durga Puja with 33,851 puja mandaps established nationwide, including 258 in Dhaka. To protect the minority Hindu community, the government deployed SWAT teams, bomb disposal units, drones, and round-the-clock surveillance, while launching a mobile application for incident reporting. The state also increased financial support to Tk 5 crore and raised rice allocations to 600 kg per mandap, while extending the public holiday to a five-day break from October 16 to 20.
President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir visited the Ramna Temple in Dhaka to meet with Hindu community members and commend the restoration of the Ramna Kali Temple. He described the festival's core philosophy as a stand against injustice and persecution, asserting that the government will resolve problems faced by followers of the Sanatan faith. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman also issued greetings emphasizing that the state belongs to all citizens regardless of religion, and he is scheduled to visit a venue in Chattogram on Tuesday.
In India, President Droupadi Murmu issued a separate message stating that the festival reflects a tradition of revering the strength of women. She urged that true devotion to the deity be expressed by ensuring respect for women in all aspects of personal and social life.
