The Puja is being celebrated in a peaceful and festive atmosphere throughout the country, Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr. M Sakhawat Hossain. The adviser said, this year’s puja is being celebrated peacefully and in a very happy and festive atmosphere throughout the country. The government has made maximum security arrangements. Army has been deployed along with Police Ansar.

On Saturday (October 12, 2024) evening, the adviser visited various pujas including Osmani Hall Pujamandap of Bangladesh Textile University, Tejgaon, Tejgaon Shilpanchal Thana Pujamandap, BG Press Pujamandap and exchanged Durga Puja wishes and views with Sanatan religious people. The adviser said that the current government has extended the holiday for the first time to make the joy of Durga Puja more joyful and festive. At this time, he expressed hope that the increase of leave will be considered in the future as well.

Mentioning that there is no religious division in Bangladesh, the advisor said, we are a small country. Since time immemorial we have all been living together irrespective of caste, creed and caste. Reminiscing about his childhood puja, he said, during the puja time, celebrating various festivals with traditional religious friends was fun, but sadly, in recent times, rumors or fear are being spread about the celebration of Durga festival due to political reasons, which is not desirable in any way. He also said that the current government has made arrangements to provide maximum security during the Durgo Festival, so that no one dares to vandalize it.

He called upon the followers of Sanatan religion to celebrate Durgotsava without any disturbance. Referring to the fact that after the mass reception of the students on August 5, the advisor said that some untoward incidents happened, but it not only affected the Hindus but also the Muslims. It actually happened due to an unusual incident. Hundreds of people were indiscriminately killed during the anti-discrimination movement by the previous dictatorial regime. Who is Muslim or Hindu is not considered. He also said that those involved in every murder are being brought to justice.

He expressed the hope that no one in Bangladesh would ever obstruct religious practice or religious freedom and strict action would be taken against those who do this. He urged all the people of the country irrespective of religion, caste and caste to work shoulder to shoulder to reform the state and build a new Bangladesh. Local Sanatan religious leaders along with student representatives of minority rights movement were present during the visit.