Hindus asked to pause Durga Pooja in Bangladesh during Namaz and Azaan

The Pooja committees also agreed to do so, as told by Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury.

The newly formed interim government in Bangladesh has now urged the Hindu community to pause Durga Pooja-related activities, particularly music playing during Namaz and Azaan. Home affairs adviser Lt. Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury told the Pooja committees to switch musical instruments and sound systems off and said they have even agreed.

Bangladesh’s new interim government asks Hindus to halt Durga Pooja-related activities.

The newly formed interim government in Bangladesh has asked Hindus to halt Durga Pooja-related activities, mainly playing music during Namaz and Azaan. Chowdhury was quoted by The Times of India on Tuesday, “Such activities need to cease during offering namaz, and the pause will have to be followed from five minutes prior to azaan.” He announced this after a meeting on the law and order situation in the country ahead of Durga Pooja.

“32,666 puja mandaps will be erected.”

Chowdhury further said that a total of 32,666 pooja mandaps will be erected across the nation this year. 157 mandaps will be in Dhaka South City and 88 in North City Corporations, reported Dhaka Tribune. Last year, the number of pooja mandaps was 33, 431 and pointed out that the number will exceed this year.

Home affairs adviser assures of security.

Chowdhury has also assured security during the festival in Bangladesh, starting from the time of the making of the idols. He was quoted saying by Dhaka Tribune, “We have discussed how to ensure round-the-clock security at the pooja mandaps. Measures will be taken to facilitate the celebration of puja without any hindrance and prevent the evil activities of miscreants.”

Meanwhile, Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh’s interim government’s chief adviser, quoted as saying to The Times of India, “We are a nation of communal harmony. No one shall do any act that destroys religious harmony. 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.”