Following the political upheaval in Bangladesh, the Bangladesh interim government has urged the minority Hindu community to pause the Durga pooja activities, mainly loudspeakers and musical instruments, during the Azan and Namaz.

Home affairs adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury informed that the puja committee has been asked to halt the music while the other community offers Namaz and Azan. Chowdhury added that they have agreed to the instruction of the interim government.

While talking to The Times of India on Tuesday, Chowdhury said, "Such activities need to cease during offering namaz, and the pause will have to be followed from five minutes prior to azaan." Popular in the Bengal region, Durga Puja is the largest religious festival celebrated by Hindus in Bangladesh.

Chowdhury, further assured that the festival will be celebrated with joy and happiness despite the political tensions. He highlighted that a total of 32,666 puja mandaps will be set up across the country. 157, of which will be in Dhaka South City, whereas 88, in North City Corporations.

Bangladesh interim government
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He ensured that the security would not be compromised during the festive season. "We have discussed how to ensure round-the-clock security at the puja mandaps. Measures will be taken to facilitate celebration of puja without any hindrance and prevent the evil activities of miscreants," Dhaka Tribune quoted him saying.

Call for communal harmony

The chief advisor of the new interim government, Mohammad Yunus, demanded communal harmony from the people of Bangladesh. "We are a nation of communal harmony. No one shall do any act that destroys religious harmony," TOI quoted him saying. “No one should take the law into their own hands. If someone takes the law into his own hands and creates a chaotic environment in society, we will definitely bring him under punishment.”

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