Dhaka: In a stern warning issued on Sunday, an adviser to the interim government declared that “drastic measures” will be enforced against anyone attempting to vandalize Durga Puja pandals or disrupt the celebration of the Hindu festival in Bangladesh.
Religious Affairs Adviser AFM Khalid Hossain, speaking to The Daily Star, emphasized the government’s zero-tolerance stance on such acts of violence. “We will bring to justice all individuals involved in attacking puja mandaps and obstructing the devotees from celebrating the festival,” Khalid stated during his visit to the Shree Shree Gouranga Bari Temple.
This warning comes in response to a recent uptick in attacks on Hindu temples and establishments, which have occurred since the fall of the previous Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s administration in August. The political upheaval has led to a surge in radical activities, with numerous videos and media reports highlighting the targeting of Hindu religious sites.
In related developments, newly appointed Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, Md Tajul Islam, announced on Sunday that efforts are underway to seek the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from India. Hasina, who was the longest-serving Prime Minister in the country’s history, is accused of mass killings during student-led protests in July and August.
Islam revealed that the Tribunal will file an application for an arrest warrant against Hasina and other fugitives involved in these alleged crimes. “We will gather and review all pertinent information, documents, and evidence related to these cases,” he said, acknowledging the complexity of the task.
The current interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, is now in charge of the country following widespread protests against Hasina’s administration, which initially began over job quota issues but escalated into a broader movement against her regime.
