Bangladesh extends durga puja holidays amid rising security concerns

Bangladesh extends durga puja holidays amid rising security concerns

NEW DELHI: Bangladesh announced additional holidays for the celebration of Durga Puja in the country, Abul Kalam Azad, Deputy Press Secretary to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus said on Tuesday.

The announcement comes after the minority Hindu community, which comprises approximately 9 percent of Bangladesh's population, faced attacks following the resignation of Sheikh Hasina amidst violent student protests in August.

The minority group had put forth an 8-point demand, in response to which the government has decided to extend the Durga Puja holiday.

Azad stated in an interview with ANI, ‘Traditionally there was one day holiday in Bangladesh for Durga Pooja but this time there will be two public holidays and this will be added to the two days of the weekend so in total 4 days of holidays will be observed in Bangladesh

He noted that the addition of an extra holiday will be executed through an executive order which will be issued today.

‘The government has decided to compensate those who were affected by the recent attacks after the August 5 changeover in Bangladesh,’ Azad said.

The residents of Dhaka are hopeful about the upcoming Puja celebrations, with law enforcement agencies assuring that there will be no untoward incidents during the festivities. Coordination is being observed at all levels, with army chiefs conveying the message to ensure security at the thana and regional levels.

In an interview with ANI, a resident expressed their optimism, stating that the government, law enforcement agents, and all political parties are also volunteering to ensure a peaceful Puja celebration.

‘In our democratic aspirations, we should not be seen as Muslims, Hindus, or Buddhists, but as human beings. Our rights should be ensured. The root of all problems lies in the decay of institutional arrangements,’ Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus had said in a public statement earlier in August, following the shift in power.