Awami League offers Durga Puja greetings to Hindus, calls for peaceful celebration
The Awami League today (8 October) called on its leaders, workers, and all those who believe in the spirit of the Liberation War to work together and preserve Bangladesh's traditional communal harmony.
In a post on its verified Facebook page, the Awami League extended greetings to the people of the Hindu community and the entire nation on the occasion of Durga Puja.
"We hope that Durga Puja will be celebrated in Bangladesh with communal harmony, preserving the country's traditions by confronting all fears, threats, and hostility," the post stated.
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The Awami League has taken to the social media platform after the fall of its government in the 5 August mass upheaval.
The party acknowledged that this year's Durga Puja has arrived during a particularly unsettling time in Bangladesh. Due to the unfavourable situation, many have cancelled their Puja celebrations, it alleged.
It further alleged that recent incidents such as idol vandalism, extortion attempts targeting Puja committees, warnings against playing microphones during Puja, and bans on cultural events have created concerns within the community.
The Awami League claimed that followers of all religions are experiencing various forms of intimidation, with these incidents occurring openly, often in front of the administration.
"There is no one to take care of them. As a result, the Hindu community is in a state of panic, and this fear has far-reaching effects. In such circumstances, some have been forced to leave the country to protect their lives," it stated.
The post noted that many within the Hindu community fear that their temples or worshippers may be attacked during Durga Puja. The communal violence being witnessed today is described as worse than what occurred around the partition of the country in 1947.
"BNP-Jamaat also came to power in 2001 and carried out violent attacks on the Hindu community. The current incidents remind us of those dark days. All these horrific events are happening with the direct complicity of the government," the post added.
The post emphasised that Awami League president Sheikh Hasina believes that every religious festival is for all citizens.
"Bangladesh Awami League has always upheld the core values of a non-communal Bangladesh and played an active role in fostering communal harmony."
