Durga Puja attacks were pre-planned, says Bangladesh Home Minister
By Asianet Newsable English | First Published Oct 18, 2021, 8:56 AM ISTBangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan has said that the attacks on Durga Puja pandals were 'pre-planned' and aimed at destroying the communal harmony in his country.
Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan has said that the attacks on Durga Puja pandals were pre-planned and aimed at destroying the communal harmony in his country.
Violence had erupted last week over an alleged desecration of the Quran at a pandal during Durga Puja festivities. As the news of the alleged desecration spread, many pandals and temples were attacked. Vandals also targetted shops and houses of Hindus.
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Over 4000 people have been booked in connection with violence and arson.
Speaking to the Dhaka Tribune, Asaduzzaman said that a vested group may have instigated the violence, which erupted in Gazipur, Bandarban, Chapainawabganj, Chandpur, Chittagong and Moulvibazar.
Stating that the investigation was progressing well, the Bangladesh Home Minister said that more details would be made public once all the evidence is gathered. He assured that exemplary punishment will be handed out to those responsible.
The preliminary probe did not rule out the role of Jamaat-e-Islami considering the coordinated manner in which the Durga Puja pandals were targetted across the country.
Following the violence, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina sought assurance from India that it would take steps against any reaction at home, as it could have an impact on the Hindu community in her country.
The remarks assume significance in the wake of fringe outfits like the Indian Secular Front making provocative speeches. Furfura Sharif cleric Pirzada Abbas Siddiqui, who is the founder of the ISF, has gone on record calling for the beheading of those who allegedly placed a copy of the Quran at the Durga Puja pandal in Bangladesh. To recall, ISF had contested the West Bengal assembly election in alliance with the Congress and Left Front.
Meanwhile, massive protests were witnessed in Chittagong against the attacks on Durga Puja pandals and Hindus in Bangladesh.
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