Bangladesh has set a unique example of communal harmony this year, with the peaceful celebration of the recently concluded two major religious festivals- Saradiya Durga Puja and Prabarana Purnima-without any reported untoward incidents across the country, thanks to the pre-cautionary measures taken by the government well ahead of the festivals.
The leaders of the Hindu and Buddhist communities expressed their profound gratitude to the government, leaders of different political parties and members of the law enforcement agencies for their allout cooperation to celebrate the ‘Durga Puja and Prabarana Purnima’ in a peaceful manner setting an exemplary atmosphere of communal harmony.
Another religious festival of the Hindus ‘Kojagari Lakshmi Puja’ was also celebrated across the country on Sunday with due religious fervor and gaiety.
However, Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Minister Sa Ching Prue said the government ensured proper security to facilitate the celebration of Pabarana Purnima in a peaceful, safe and festive atmosphere.
The government allocated the highest-ever amount of funds for the Buddhist festival, he said.
He said ruling party leaders and activists assisted law enforcement agencies to maintain law and order during the festivals.
Talking to BSS, Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad General Secretary Santosh Sharma said this year’s puja celebration across the country was spontaneous, cordial and unprecedented apart from few minor issues.
“It was far better than the previous years and the present government, political parties specially the BNP, law enforcing and intelligence agencies were so sincere, cordial and well equipped and coordinated,” he said.
He expressed the hope that the trend, which has been set up by the government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman would be continued in future.
Gulshan-Banani Sarbajanin Puja Foundation General Secretary Binoy Gopal Roy said the foundation has been arranging Durga Puja at Kamal Ataturk Park in the capital’s Banani from the last 19 years, but this year’s puja celebrations were totally “exceptional”.
Eminent academician and former Vice-Chancellor of University of Science and Technology, Chattogram (USTC) Prof Provat Chandra Barua told BSS that the celebrations of this year’s Probarana Purnima was exceptional as the patronization of the government as well as the leaders of different political parties was excellent.
All sectors were very cordial and friendly to facilitate the festival, he said adding that all functions relating to the celebrations were more colorful, systematic and disciplined, he added.
The Sarbojanin Puja Foundation set ‘Jalaja’, this year’s theme of the puja, which was quite balanced natural with water colored environment with a message of better living for the people of all religious, castes and creeds, he said adding the number of visitors were much higher than the previous years.
Security arrangements were also high and cooperation from the government, law enforcing and intelligence agencies and leaders and activists of different political parties were also unquestionable, Roy added.
Dhaka Mahanagar Sarbajanin Puja Committee General Secretary Shubhashish Kumar Biswas Sadhan said a total of 258 mandops were set up in the capital but not a single untoward incident was reported.
The entire capital wore a festive look during last six-day puja celebrations due to tremendous efforts from the government and the people of all cast, creed and religion, he added.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Acting Commissioner Md Abul Bashar Talukder said highest security arrangements with all of its capacity were put in place to smooth celebrations of Durga Puja.
The members of the community along with other communities joined the festival with great enthusiasm, sincerity and good wishes, he said adding that the government agencies including police monitored and supervised the whole celebrations round the clock.
The efforts of the government as well as the Hindu community in celebrations of the puja festival have been highly appreciated at home and abroad, the acting DMP boss added.
A total of 33,851 puja mandops were set up across the country this year that is the highest number in recent years.
This year, a total of five-day holidays coinciding with weekends were announced to allow the community members to celebrate the festival without any hassle.
The Hindu Religious Welfare Trust received Taka five crore for Durga Puja, while the Buddhist Religious Welfare Trust received Taka three crore for ‘Kathin Chibar Dan’, the ceremonial offering of robes to Buddhist monks.
