Dhaka:Bangladesh has demonstrated remarkable communal harmony with the peaceful celebration of two major religious festivals, Saradiya Durga Puja and Prabarana Purnima, which concluded without any incidents across the country. This was achieved through precautionary measures implemented by the government ahead of the festivities.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, leaders from the Hindu and Buddhist communities expressed their gratitude to the government, political leaders, and law enforcement agencies for their cooperation, which facilitated a harmonious environment for the celebrations. The government ensured robust security to support a peaceful, safe, and festive atmosphere, particularly for Pabarana Purnima.
The Hindu festival of Kojagari Lakshmi Puja was also celebrated with enthusiasm nationwide. The Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Minister, Sa Ching Prue, emphasized the government's commitment to security, highlighting the allocation of the highest-ever funds for the Buddhist festival. He noted that ruling party members supported law enforcement in maintaining order during the events.
Santosh Sharma, General Secretary of Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad, acknowledged the exceptional nature of this year's celebrations, praising the sincerity and coordination of the government and various political parties. Sharma expressed hope that the positive trend established by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's administration would continue.
Binoy Gopal Roy from the Gulshan-Banani Sarbajanin Puja Foundation described this year's Durga Puja at Kamal Ataturk Park as exceptional, marking 19 years of the foundation's involvement. Prof. Provat Chandra Barua noted the exemplary support from the government and political leaders, which resulted in well-organized and vibrant celebrations.
The Sarbojanin Puja Foundation's theme 'Jalaja' emphasized balanced living, attracting more visitors than in previous years. Security and cooperation from various agencies were highly effective, Roy noted. Shubhashish Kumar Biswas Sadhan, General Secretary of Dhaka Mahanagar Sarbajanin Puja Committee, reported no incidents across 258 mandops set up in the capital.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police Acting Commissioner Md Abul Bashar Talukder highlighted the extensive security measures that ensured a smooth celebration. The efforts of the government and the Hindu community received appreciation both domestically and internationally.
This year saw the setup of 33,851 puja mandops nationwide, the highest in recent years. Five-day holidays, aligning with weekends, were announced to allow community members to celebrate without inconvenience. Additionally, the Hindu Religious Welfare Trust received Taka five crore for Durga Puja, and the Buddhist Religious Welfare Trust received Taka three crore for the 'Kathin Chibar Dan' ceremony.