The recent Durga Puja festival in Bangladesh, a sacred celebration for the Hindu community, took a disturbing turn in Chittagong when Islamic music was performed at a prominent Puja Mandap. This incident has sparked outrage and fear among the Hindu minority, amplifying concerns about their safety and religious freedom during the festival. The event, which took place at the JM Sen Hall Puja Committee in Chittagong, has become the center of controversy, with videos of the performance spreading rapidly across social media.
Fact-checkers based in Bangladesh have verified the authenticity of these videos, confirming that Islamic music, including a song promoting the universality of Islam, was indeed performed on stage during the cultural segment of the puja celebrations. This unprecedented act has left the Hindu community alarmed, as religious songs from Islam were sung at a space meant for Hindu devotion, heightening the tension in an already fraught environment.
Rising Religious Tensions
The incident comes at a time when Bangladesh is experiencing heightened religious sensitivities following the transition of power from Sheikh Hasina’s government to Muhammad Yunus’ interim government. There have been increasing reports of attacks on Hindus, temple desecrations, and mounting pressure for religious conversions, particularly in rural areas and at workplaces. Though Bangladesh’s political and media circles often dismiss these allegations as exaggerated, minority organizations in the country maintain that the threats and violence against them are real.
In recent years, Durga Puja celebrations have been marred by violence. In 2022, a mandap near Nanua Dighi in Comilla faced riots during Mahashtami over false accusations of Quran desecration, which led to nationwide unrest. Several temples, including the ISKCON temple in Noakhali, were attacked by mobs, resulting in the tragic deaths of three monks who were trying to protect the temple. The Hindu community has never fully recovered from the trauma of those events.
This year, with the new government in place, concerns among the Hindu population are higher than ever. While official statements have assured that Durga Puja will be protected, many fear that the events of Chittagong signal a dangerous trend that could escalate further.
The JM Sen Hall Incident
On the evening of Saptami, six performers from a cultural group called the Chittagong Cultural Academy took to the stage inside the puja mandap at JM Sen Hall. Originally invited to perform patriotic songs, they instead sang Islamic songs that called for all people to accept Islam. The lyrics, such as “Islam is universal, Islam did not come only for Muslims. All should accept Islam,” deeply disturbed the audience and further fueled tensions.
The Puja Udyapan Parishad, which organized the event, denied that they had knowingly invited the performers to sing religious songs. They clarified that the group had promised to perform secular, patriotic songs, and the shift to Islamic music was both unexpected and inappropriate.
The government, through Home Affairs Advisor Mohammad Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, has issued instructions for Durga Puja celebrations to be held in a subdued manner, including restrictions on the use of microphones and music during the Muslim call to prayer (Azaan). However, the incident at JM Sen Hall overshadowed these directives, causing outrage both within Bangladesh and abroad.
Taslima Nasreen’s Sharp Criticism
Taslima Nasreen, a renowned Bangladeshi writer living in exile, has been a vocal critic of religious fundamentalism in her home country for decades. In response to the incident, Nasreen took to social media, fiercely condemning the performance of Islamic music during a Hindu religious festival. She expressed her shock and anger, stating:
“Only three/four days of Durga Puja. Muslims do not allow Hindus to worship peacefully in Bangladesh even for these few days. Idols will be broken, temples will be set on fire, daks will not be played, mikes will not be played. Now the army has been stationed in front of the mandap. Basically to show the world that they are not Hindu haters. How many Jihadists are singing at the puja ceremony of Chittagong metropolis today. Singing Islamic songs.”
Her words reflect the frustration and helplessness felt by many within the Hindu community in Bangladesh, who believe that their religious freedom is being systematically undermined. Nasreen further criticized the double standards she perceives, asking whether Muslims would tolerate Hindu songs being sung during Islamic gatherings or in mosques.
Broader Implications
The incident in Chittagong is a stark reminder of the deep-seated religious tensions in Bangladesh. While the country has a long history of religious pluralism, recent years have seen growing intolerance and violence, particularly against minority communities. Events like the JM Sen Hall incident highlight the fragile nature of religious harmony in the country, where even the slightest provocation can lead to widespread unrest.
Despite reassurances from the government, the Hindu community in Bangladesh remains anxious as Durga Puja continues. Many fear that this year’s celebrations, which should be a time of joy and unity, may instead be marred by further acts of intolerance and violence.
As Bangladesh navigates this tense period, the international community and human rights organizations will be closely watching to see how the government responds to the grievances of its minority populations. For now, however, the Hindu community remains on edge, uncertain of what the future holds for their sacred celebrations.
