Puja Venues Attacked, Vandalised at Direction of Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council: BMHBC Unity Forum

Mr. Suranjan Ghosh, president of the Bangladesh Muslim Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Forum, said puja pandals are being attacked and vandalised in many places of the country. He said this is happening ahead of Sharodiya Durga Puja, the big festival of Sanatan Dharma. He said it is the result of a secret plot by the Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, the Puja Parishad and ISKCON, which are linked with the banned Awami League.

He said they have started this plot to damage the image of the present government. He also thanked and congratulated the government for the announcement made on the order of Prime Minister Mr. Tarique Rahman. The announcement gave a five day government holiday for Sharodiya Durga Puja and a grant of Tk 5 crore. Mr. Suranjan Ghosh said this while speaking as president at a protest and human chain held yesterday in front of the National Press Club.

The Bangladesh Muslim Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Forum organised the programme against the planned attempt of the banned Awami League to create communal clashes and harm communal harmony. Other speakers were general secretary Mr. Mahabubur Rahman and organising secretary Mr. Sanjit Kumar Dey. Vice president Mr. Shyamal Chakraborty, Advocate Mr. Awlad Hossain and Advocate Ms. Shankari Halder also spoke. Mr. Al Amin, Mr. Md. Habib and Mr. Imran Hossain spoke too. So did Mr. Khokon Kanti Das, Mr. Al Amin (Suman) and Mr. Wahid Mazumder.

The human chain put forward several demands. The first demand is that the government must take effective administrative steps at once to stop any attempt to cause communal clashes, provocation or harm to public order. The second is that all complaints of communal violence or clashes must be investigated without bias. The people or groups found responsible must face proper action under the existing law. The third is that those involved in communal violence and provocation must be brought under the law, whatever their political, religious or social identity.

The fourth demand is that law and order must be made stronger to ensure the safety of the lives, property, homes, businesses and places of worship of all citizens. The fifth is that the government agencies concerned must work together to stop local and foreign propaganda and provocative acts. These acts aim to harm communal harmony, social stability and unity among citizens of Bangladesh. The sixth is that there must be effective watch and legal action to find and stop rumours, false information, hate speech and communal provocation on social media.