Daijiworld Media Network - Dhaka
Dhaka, Oct 16: As many as 34 incidents of violence, including attacks on temples, vandalism of idols and other related incidents, have been reported at Durga Puja venues across Bangladesh ahead of the community’s biggest religious festival, local media reported, citing two Hindu organisations.
The Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad and the Mahanagar Sarbojanin Puja Committee have urged the authorities to strengthen protection for religious and ethnic minorities, take effective measures to prevent further attacks and ensure their security throughout the year.
The demand was raised at a press conference organised by the two organisations at the Dhakeshwari National Temple complex in Dhaka on Thursday, ahead of Sharadiya Durga Puja, the Dhaka Tribune reported.
Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad General Secretary Santosh Sharma said, “This year, the notable development is that a total of 34 incidents involving idol vandalism, attacks on temples and other related incidents have been reported so far.”
The leaders expressed hope that Durga Puja would be celebrated peacefully without any untoward incidents. They stressed that religious festivals should bring together people from all communities and uphold Bangladesh’s tradition of communal harmony.
According to a statement issued by the organisations, several districts, including Sylhet, Rajbari, Panchagarh, Netrokona and Tangail, have witnessed idol vandalism and attacks on temples during preparations for the festival.
The statement also highlighted a theft at a historic Kali temple in Faridpur and incidents of attacks and looting at homes, shops and temples belonging to members of the Hindu community in Sunamganj.
It further cited a robbery in Naogaon involving individuals who allegedly impersonated intelligence agency personnel.
The leaders emphasised the need to strengthen secular values and build greater social resistance against communal violence.
“Security for five days of Puja is not enough; security must be ensured for 365 days a year,” they said, stressing that building a discrimination-free Bangladesh required upholding secular values and ensuring justice for those responsible for violence.
The latest reports have renewed concerns over attacks on Hindu temples and minority communities across Bangladesh. According to the report, the trend began during the tenure of the former Muhammad Yunus-led interim government and has continued under the current Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) administration.
Earlier this week, the Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities (HRCBM) documented 498 reported incidents affecting religious and ethnic minorities in the country between July and September 2026. The reported incidents included killings, assaults, sexual violence, attacks on places of worship and property violations.
“Every incident demands scrutiny. Every victim deserves protection. Impunity must not prevail,” HRCBM said in a post on X, highlighting concerns over violence against minorities.