“We are not panicked, but we are not completely free of concern (of any untoward incident) either,” said Tapash Kumar Pal, general secretary of Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad.
He said this at a views-exchange meeting with journalists at the capital’s Dhakeshwari National Temple yesterday, the day Hindu devotees celebrated the Mahalaya, ceremonial invocation of goddess Durga.
Durga Puja, the largest festival of Hindus, will be organised in 29,395 temples this year, 321 more than last year. The five-day puja will begin on October 7.
“The government and law enforcers have promised to ensure necessary security. We have trust on them. Nevertheless, our concern is still prevalent,” said Tapash.
The parishad yesterday placed a five-point demand including a three-day public holiday, decorating important government buildings, distribution of special food at prisons, arranging uninterrupted water and electricity to temples and establishing a Hindu foundation.
Central leaders Nirmal Kumar Chaterjeee and Biplab Kumar Dey also attended.
Meanwhile, wearing colourful dresses, hundreds of devotees thronged the temples to celebrate Mahalaya. The auspicious occasion is observed seven days prior to the initiation of the Durga Puja.
Hindus believe earth prepares itself and welcomes the arrival of the goddess and her children, through the Mahalaya celebration.
Meanwhile, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam yesterday urged all to remain alert so that none can damage the existing communal harmony, reports our Munshiganj correspondent.
He said this while distributing clothes among poor Hindu women at his village — Mouchha Mandra in Munshiganj ahead of Durga Puja.
The law enforcement agencies are alert to prevent any untoward incident during the puja, the AG said.
DAG Biswajit Debnath and AC (Land) of Louhojang SM Shahin were also present.
Source: The Daily Star
