Multiple Durga Puja pandals vandalised, idols broken on Maha Ashtami in Bangladesh

Oct. 14: In a shocking state of affairs, multiple incidents of attacks on Durga Puja pandals and idols have been reported from Bangladesh. At least three incidents of vandalism against Durga idols have been reported in various parts of the country in the past 24 hours.

Taking to its twitter handle, Bangladesh Hindu Unity Council wrote, “13 October 2021. A scandalous day in the history of Bangladesh.Many puja mandapas have been vandalized, Pratima Bisarjan in the Day of Austomi. Hindus are now guarding the puja mandapa.the whole world is silent today. May maa Durga bless all the Hindus of the world.”

#NewProfilePic pic.twitter.com/oXDuCfre9I

— Bangladesh Hindu Unity Council (@UnityCouncilBD) October 13, 2021

“A scandalous day in the history of Bangladesh… We cannot publish in a tweet what has happened in the last 24 hours. The Hindus of Bangladesh saw the real faces of some people. We don’t know what will happen in the future. But the Hindus of Bangladesh will never forget Durga Puja in 2021…” the council further said.

4th incident. Vandalizing the pratima again. This incident took place at Rastampur village of Ashulia in Savar upazila of Dhaka this evening. We are drawing the attention of all the puja mandapa authorities and volunteers so that they take care of the temple’s own security. https://t.co/UYOGJBauBT pic.twitter.com/SIDXfum6Jo

— Bangladesh Hindu Unity Council (@UnityCouncilBD) October 10, 2021

At Nanua Dighi in Comilla on Wednesday evening, a Durga Puja pandal was attacked by a mob. The idol was reportedly thrown into a pond after the mob turned furious over reports that a copy of the Holy Quran was placed at the feet of Goddess Durga.

! The situation is terrible !!
Attacks on 150 families in Shilpara, Cox's Bazar, widespread vandalism, looting, vandalism of Hatiya in Noakhali, vandalism of idols in municipal Kalimandir, attack Vandalism, molestation of women, 2 people have been found dead in Chandpur. pic.twitter.com/B2x2jnk880

— Advocate Dr. Gobinda Chandra Pramanik (@gobinda21765953) October 13, 2021

Denying the claims of insulting Quran, Shibu Prasad Dutta, the general secretary of Cumilla Mahanagar Puja Udjapon Committee, informed that someone placed a copy of the Quran at a Durga Puja pavilion in Nanua Dighir Par early in the morning when the guard was asleep.  “The miscreants took some pictures of this and ran away. Within a few hours, using Facebook, the propaganda spread like wildfire with the provocative pictures,” confirmed a district official

Spreading rumors of insulting the Qur'an, the puja mandapa of Nanua Dighi par in Comilla was attacked. https://t.co/KmljSISWFu pic.twitter.com/4oM1gS46yJ

— Bangladesh Hindu Unity Council (@UnityCouncilBD) October 13, 2021

The Durga idol of Sri Shamshaneshwar Shiva Vigraha Mandir was vandalized by Islamic extremists in the Firingibazar area in Chittagong, Bangladesh on Sunday.

Pujo Done 🙏🙏🙏
From : Comilla nanuyar Dighi puja Mandap.
We will never Forget 2021 Durga puja. Maa durga bless you all. 🙏#BlackDayOfBDHindus pic.twitter.com/25QXh1PcTY

— Bangladesh Hindu Unity Council (@UnityCouncilBD) October 13, 2021

As per Bangladesh Hindu Unity Council, this was the third incident of vandalism reported. “The attack took place on the road while the Durga idol was being entered in the puja mandapa in Kotwali, Chittagong. Police have arrested one. Protests are going on in the streets of Kotwali in Chittagong,” Tweeted the Council along with the images of the damaged idol.

Asura Vahini attack on Shankhnidhi Puja Mandap at Tipu Sultan Road in puran Dhaka. The Pratima of maa Durga is now on the street.#SecularBangladesh pic.twitter.com/ju9BOU88PN

— Bangladesh Hindu Unity Council (@UnityCouncilBD) October 11, 2021

The Bangladesh Hindu Unity Council shared another incident of vandalism reported from Dhaka on October 11.  “Vandalizing the pratima again. This incident took place at Rastampur village of Ashulia in Savar upazila of Dhaka this evening. We are drawing the attention of all the puja mandapa authorities and volunteers so that they take care of the temple’s own security,” read the Tweet by the Council.

Durga Puja has started with bad feelings. Don't worry, The victory of good over evil was in the past and will be in the future. Jai Maa Durga 🙏 pic.twitter.com/GRCApJ7gHT

— Bangladesh Hindu Unity Council (@UnityCouncilBD) October 11, 2021

The series of vandalism of Durga idols in Bangladesh began much before the onset of the nine-day Navratri festival. As per another Twitter post by the Council, a yet to be completed Durga idol was vandalized in Kushtia in September. The organization in a Tweet said, “Like every year, Bangladeshi extremists have started the festival of vandalizing the idol of maa Durga. It happens every year during Durga Puja.”

Why is there so much Hatred against Hindus in Bangladesh ??? Hindus live in Bangladesh by birth.
.Most of those who lost their lives in 1971 were Hindus.The Hindus of Bangladesh considered the Muslims as their brothers. How can 8% Hindus be the cause of problems for 90% Muslim?

— Bangladesh Hindu Unity Council (@UnityCouncilBD) October 13, 2021

Heavy security was deployed at several locations all over the country, however, the damage and violence was widespread. Additional Deputy Commissioner (Overall) Shahadat Hossain also informed that a three-member committee has been constituted to investigate the matter further.

As per Quader, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina ordered the criminals behind spreading communal attacks and propaganda to be identified and punished as an example.