Sanatani Jagran Jote flags 700 Durga Puja mandaps as vulnerable

The Bangladesh Bangladesh Sammilito Sanatani Jagran Jote has identified over 700 Durga Puja mandaps across the country as vulnerable, raising concerns about security ahead of the Hindu community’s largest annual religious festival, Sharadiya Durga Puja.

At a press conference held on Tuesday at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU), the alliance urged the government to deploy the army at all puja mandaps to ensure peaceful celebrations. The organization also called for the unconditional release of its imprisoned spokesperson, Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, and other detained activists.

Speaking at the briefing, alliance member Pradip Kanti Dey said incidents of idol vandalism had been reported in at least five districts, including Satkhira, where 55 mandaps have already been marked as high-risk.

“We fear further attacks in areas like Cumilla, Chattogram, Gazipur, Mymensingh, and Rajshahi,” Dey said. “We’ve submitted a list of vulnerable mandaps to the government and requested sufficient security arrangements, including CCTV cameras at each site, funded by the state.”

He added that the alliance believes the deployment of the army is necessary, as they are currently assisting civil administration in maintaining law and order.

In a written statement, alliance leader Prosenjit Kumar Halder outlined an eight-point demand to protect the rights and safety of religious minorities in Bangladesh:

Formation of an independent investigation commission to probe attacks on minorities and ensure justice through fast-track tribunals.

Immediate enactment of a Minority Protection Act.

Creation of a separate Ministry for Minority Affairs.

Upgrading existing religious welfare trusts into Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian Foundations.

Protection and recovery of Debottor (temple) properties, and proper implementation of the Vested Property Return Act.

Provision of prayer rooms for minority students in public and private universities and residence halls.

Modernization of Sanskrit and Pali education boards.

Declaration of a five-day public holiday for Durga Puja and appropriate leave for other minority religious festivals.

In view of the upcoming festival, the alliance also placed four immediate demands:

Declaration of a three-day public holiday for Durga Puja this year.

Unconditional release of all arrested alliance members.

Full inclusion of the Sanatani (Hindu) community in national development initiatives for a secular, discrimination-free state.

Urgent implementation of robust security measures for all puja mandaps.

According to sources, law enforcement agencies will be deployed across the country starting Wednesday, September 24, to maintain law and order during the festival. Intelligence surveillance has already been intensified, and security preparations are underway in high-risk areas.