Dhaka: Bangladesh Durga Puja  Even after the arrival of the new head of Bangladesh Mohammad Yunus, there is no improvement in the situation of Hindus there. They are still being targeted. This month itself, about 35 unpleasant incidents related to Durga Puja celebrations going on across the country have come to light, after which seventeen people have been arrested. About a dozen cases have also been registered.

The crown gifted by PM Modi was also stolen

The development comes a day after it was revealed that a handmade golden crown (mukut) gifted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was stolen from a Hindu temple in Bangladesh's southwestern Satkhira district amid Durga Puja celebrations, over which India expressed concern.

The five-day Hindu religious festival began on Wednesday with the invocation of Goddess Durga, called Maha Shashthi. The celebrations will conclude on Sunday with the immersion of idols of Goddess Durga. 

Only 8 percent of the population of Bangladesh is Hindu

Let us tell you that minority Hindus constitute about 8 percent of Bangladesh's 170 million population. Hindus faced vandalism of their businesses and properties and destruction of temples during the student-led violence that erupted after the ouster of then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on 5 August. 

The Dhaka Tribune newspaper quoted Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Moinul Islam as saying that 35 incidents related to the ongoing Durga Puja celebrations across the country have taken place since October 1, leading to the filing of 11 cases. Islam visited the Banani Puja Mandap in Dhaka on Friday, after which he told reporters that Durga Puja is being celebrated in more than 32,000 mandaps across the country. 

Police in action after crown theft 

The IGP's visit comes after it was learnt that the gold mukut (crown) presented by PM Modi at the Jeshoreshwari Kali temple in Satkhira during his visit to Bangladesh in 2021 was stolen. Following the incident, the Indian High Commission urged the Bangladesh government to investigate the theft and recover the crown besides taking action against the culprits.

IGP Islam assured that the police have a record of those responsible for the incidents and the accused will be punished.