Bangladesh: Durga Puja celebrations blocked by radical groups in several places, Hindus forced to change venues
Dhaka District, Bangladesh 
26 September, 2024
Case Summary
The Hindu community in Bangladesh faced obstacles in organizing Durga Puja in certain areas due to opposition from radical groups. Durga Puja was set to be celebrated from October 9 to 13 in 32,666 venues across the country, issues arose in Uttara, a suburb of Dhaka. A week before the festival, radical Islamist groups formed human chains protesting the celebration in Sectors 11 and 13 of Uttara, leading to tension in the area. The army and police intervened, holding meetings with local Hindu and Muslim leaders to resolve the issue. However, despite efforts, the Hindu community was forced to relocate the Durga Puja venue due to continued opposition, particularly from mosque worshippers and madrasa students. Siraj Mia, a community police officer, confirmed that local mosque committees refused to allow the Puja in certain areas, citing religious practices at nearby mosques and madrasas. The National Human Rights Commission condemned the obstruction calling it a violation of human rights.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case has been added to the Hinduphobia tracker under the prime category- Restriction/ban on Hindu practices. Under this, the sub-category selected is- Restriction on expression of Hindu identity. An example of the state-affected prejudicial and targeted orders against the Hindu community would be a government denying the right of a Hindu or a group of Hindus to hold a religious procession owing to the animosity of non-Hindu groups. Denial of the religious right of the Hindus to assuage the non-Hindu group which harbours animosity to a point where it could lead to violence against Hindus is not only a failure of law and order but is a prejudicial order against Hindus, denying them their fundamental rights to express their religious identity. An example of a hate crime against Hindus by a non-Hindu would be a non-Hindu institution forcing its Hindu employees to abandon religious symbols that a Hindu would wear as an expression of faith owing to inherent prejudice against the faith professed by the victim or a non-Hindu group of people restricting a Hindu group from constructing a place of worship simply because the demography of the area in which the temple is being built is dominated by non-Hindus. Such actions are driven by religious animosity and/or prejudice against Hindus and their faith and would therefore be categorized as a hate crime. Here, radical Islamist groups protested against the Hindu religious festival, forming human chains and pressuring the community to halt their celebrations in areas near mosques and madrasas. This opposition not only limited the Hindu community's ability to practice their faith openly but also restricted their freedom to express their religious identity. The relocation of the Puja venue, despite police intervention, shows that the threat and opposition were rooted in religious intolerance. Such incidents reflect a targeted attempt to suppress Hindu religious practices, violating their basic rights to religious freedom and expression. The involvement of radical groups, particularly their alignment with mosque committees and madrasa students, further exemplifies how this opposition was driven by religious motivations, seeking to marginalize the Hindu minority in the region. This forced relocation and obstruction are stark indicators of systemic religious discrimination, which stems from intrinsic hatered for Hindus and their beliefs, which is why this case has been included here.
Case Status
Unknown
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Muslim Extremists
Perpetrators Range
Unknown
Perpetrators Gender
both
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