A major controversy has erupted in Bangladesh after Jagannath University, one of Dhaka’s oldest and most respected institutions, reportedly banned the celebration of Kali Puja on its campus — despite the fact that the university itself stands on land donated by a Hindu landlord and built with contributions from Sanatan (Hindu) philanthropists.
The decision has sparked widespread outrage among Hindu students, teachers, and rights activists, who see it as a blatant act of religious discrimination and cultural insult.
What has further inflamed the situation is a shocking remark by the university’s proctor, who claimed that “Kali Puja is part of North Indian culture.” His comment has been denounced as historically ignorant and deeply offensive to Bengali identity.
Kali Puja, celebrated across Bengal for centuries, is not merely a religious ritual but a symbol of Bengali heritage and cultural soul. To dismiss it as “North Indian” reflects, many argue, a dangerous attempt to erase the roots of Bengal’s pluralistic traditions.
According to historians, Jagannath University was built on land donated by Hindu zamindars and developed through the benevolence of Sanatan donors. Yet, today, in that very institution, Hindu students are reportedly being denied the right to perform their own religious rituals.
A former student expressed anger, saying —
“It’s heartbreaking. The university that Hindu philanthropists built now refuses to allow the worship of Goddess Kali — the very embodiment of Bengal’s spiritual and cultural identity. What kind of secularism is this?”
Critics say the move violates the constitutional guarantee of religious freedom and exposes the growing intolerance toward minority faiths in Bangladesh. They argue that secularism in Bangladesh has become selective, where religious liberty applies to some but not to others.
The absence of even a central temple or prayer space for Sanatan followers at Jagannath University adds to the sense of alienation. Activists warn that the university’s decision sets a dangerous precedent — one that undermines the very essence of Bangladesh’s diverse cultural fabric.
As outrage grows on social media under hashtags like #JagannathUniversity #KaliPuja #SanatanDharma #ReligiousFreedom, many are demanding that the authorities immediately withdraw the ban and issue a public apology for the proctor’s “arrogant and culturally insulting” statement.
“To ban Kali Puja in Bengal is to ban Bengal’s soul itself,” said one student protester — summing up the sentiment of millions who believe the fight for Kali Puja is now a fight for Bangladesh’s true secular spirit.
