Dhaka: Sharadiya Durga Puja, the largest religious festival for Bengali Hindus, was celebrated across Bangladesh peacefully this year with the support of multiple stakeholders. No incidents were reported from any of the puja mandaps throughout the country during the celebrations, a testament to the collaborative efforts of the government, law enforcement agencies, armed forces, and political parties.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Ansar, and other law enforcement agencies played a crucial role in ensuring the festival’s peaceful celebration. Security was tight at puja mandaps and surrounding areas, with the army and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) providing additional support. Leaders and activists from political parties, such as BNP and Jamaat, also contributed to maintaining security at the mandaps in their respective areas.
For enhanced security, CCTV cameras were installed at the pavilions, and volunteer committees were established to guard these sites. Leaders from the Puja Udjapan Parishad credited the interim government’s appropriate measures for the smooth and peaceful conduct of this year’s Sharadiya Durga Puja, noting that no untoward incidents were recorded anywhere in the country.
The five-day festival, which began on September 5, concluded with the immersion of idols on October 2, during Bijoya Dashami. This year, Durga Puja was celebrated in 33,355 mandaps throughout the country, with 258 located in Dhaka city. Each Puja Udjapan Committee also implemented special security measures to ensure smooth celebrations at their respective mandaps.
Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad President Basudeb Dhar confirmed that the festival was celebrated peacefully nationwide. He attributed the successful and peaceful completion of Durga Puja to the active cooperation of the government, law enforcement agencies, intelligence agencies, the Bangladesh Army, and various political parties.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam expressed satisfaction over the peaceful celebrations, stating that Durga Puja was enjoyed in a joyful and festive manner without any incidents. He acknowledged fears of potential chaos but praised the swift action of law enforcement agencies in preventing any disturbances. Alam thanked all parties involved for their cooperation, highlighting the significant role of government officials, including the home affairs adviser, in ensuring a peaceful celebration.