'Pause Durga Puja Activities During Namaz, Azaan': Bangladesh Govt to Hindu Community

Dhaka: Bangladesh 's new interim government led by Muhammad Yunus has urged the Hindu community to avoid playing musical instruments as part of Durga Puja celebrations during namaz and azaan, as per local media reports.

Bangladesh 's Home Affairs Adviser, Lieutenant General (retired) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, announced on Tuesday that puja committees have been instructed to turn off sound systems and refrain from playing musical instruments during azaan and namaz, and the organisers have agreed to the request. "Such activities need to cease during offering namaz, and the pause will have to be followed from five minutes prior to azaan," Chowdhury added.

Speaking after reviewing law and order readiness ahead of Durga Puja at the Dhaka Secretariat, Chowdhury added that 32,666 puja pandals will be set up across Bangladesh this year, slightly fewer than last year's 33,431. Of these, 157 mandaps will be in Dhaka South City and 88 in North City Corporations.

Chowdhury also assured that security measures will be in place from the idol-making stage through the Durga Puja festival. "We have discussed how to ensure round-the-clock security at the puja mandaps. Measures will be taken to facilitate the celebration of puja without any hindrance and prevent the evil activities of miscreants," Chowdhury had said the local media.

This directive follows recent attacks on the Hindu community amid political unrest and concerns about the safety of religious minorities in Bangladesh . Regarding a recent incident at Shah Poran’s shrine, Chowdhury stated, "I don't know anything about the attack on the Shah Poran shrine. However, it is my responsibility to ensure security so that no attack is launched. Law enforcers have been given directives in this regard."

The government’s directive also comes against the backdrop of recent actions by the Muhammad Yunus administration, which has banned the export of hilsa to India. This ban has led to a shortage of Bangladeshi ilish in India and increased prices, disrupting a long-standing practice of sending large consignments of Padma ilish to India during the festive season.

Earlier on Wednesday, Yunus in his speech to the nation said, "We are a nation of communal harmony. No one shall do any act that destroys religious harmony."He said the government is determined to shape a democratic Bangladesh so that "we don't fall into the hands of a dictatorship".

"No one should take the law into their own hands. If someone takes the law into his own hands and creates a chaotic environment in society, we will definitely bring him under punishment," Yunus added.