On September 29, the severed head of a bovine was found at the site of an under-construction Durga Puja pandal in Khalisamari village, located in the Sitalkuchi block of Cooch Behar district, West Bengal. This incident occurs just ten days before the annual Hindu festival of Durga Puja, leading to widespread anger and unrest in the area.
BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari emphasized the issue, stating,, “Miscreants are trying to import the cross-border culture of radical & communal subjugation, by means of abominable and nefarious activities.”
Miscreants are trying to import the cross border culture of radical & communal subjugation, by means of abominable and nefarious activities.
Buoyed by the activities of the radicalists in Bangladesh who are trying to repress the festivities surrounding the Durga Puja, miscreants… pic.twitter.com/IvbVdI3yF9
— Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) September 29, 2024
He criticised unnamed extremists for desecrating the Durga Puja pandal and slaughtering a sacred animal.
In a tweet, Suvendu Adhikari stated, “Inspired by the actions of radicalists in Bangladesh who are attempting to suppress Durga Puja celebrations, miscreants in West Bengal are trying to replicate this, aiming to stoke communal tensions and create an atmosphere of intimidation and fear during the festive season.”
He called on the Cooch Behar police to take action on this issue, stating, “I urge SP (Cooch Behar) Shri Dyutiman Bhattacharya (IPS) and District Magistrate (Cooch Behar) Shri Arvind Kumar Mina (IAS) to assess the situation promptly and take necessary measures to address this trend before it escalates.”
Rules on Durga Puja in Bangladesh Islamists in Bangladesh persist in their relentless attacks on Hindus and their festivals, despite assurances of safety and protection from the interim government led by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus.
Radical organisations have now warned the Hindu minority community against publicly celebrating Durga Puja or participating in idol worship and immersion as the festival approaches.
Additionally, they are opposing the national holidays declared for the festival. Extremist groups recently held a march against Hindus in a playground in Dhaka’s Sector 13.
Hindus in Khulna have been demanded to pay 5 lakh Bangladeshi taka (approximately INR 3,50,726) to celebrate Durga Puja. A letter received in the mail threatens that those who disclose this to the government or the media will face beheading. The letter further warned that the recipient would face a fate similar to that of Hanif’s project if the money was not paid. Mahbub Ul Alam Hanif’s house was looted for several days following the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government.
