Vibrant Triumph: How Bangladeshi Hindus Celebrate Dussehra 2024 Amid Intense Security Challenges
Dussehra 2024, also known as Vijayadashami, is one of the most significant festivals for Hindus worldwide, marking the conclusion of Durga Puja. In India, the festival is celebrated with ‘Ramleela’ plays and large rallies, while Bangladesh observes it with the immersion of Durga idols in the Icchamati River, which borders the two nations. The festivities also include ‘sindoor khel,’ where married Hindu women exchange vermillion, and ‘Dhunuchi nach’ dances. However, the festival period in Bangladesh has been overshadowed by heightened security measures due to rising attacks on minorities, according to a Dhaka Tribune report. Since October 1, there have been 35 incidents related to Durga Puja across Bangladesh, with some violence reported before the festivities began on October 9. Supriya Sarkar, a Hindu teacher, described the situation as ‘challenging,’ expressing a desire for peaceful coexistence with the Muslim community. In contrast, another resident of Dhaka appreciated the security but felt constrained by it. Despite Inspector General of Police Md Moinul Islam’s implementation of a ‘three-tier security’ plan, reports of violence against Hindu minorities have escalated. In Uttara, Dhaka, Hindus had to conduct Durga Puja in a restricted space after a Muslim-led procession opposed the installation of the idol in open areas. This situation is reminiscent of 2021 when attacks on Hindu temples during Durga Puja led the government to deploy paramilitary forces and Border Guards Bangladesh troops in 22 districts.
Original Story https://www.livemint.com/news/dussehra-2024-how-hindus-of-bangladesh-are-celebrating-vijayadashami-amid-suffocating-security-11728713508207.html
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