“Durga Puja celebrations got off to a rocky start in Bangladesh with the interim government and various Muslim bodies denying permission in several areas. The organising committees were also reportedly asked to maintain silence during Namaaz offerings and pay ₹5 lakh each as ‘jizya’. The developments came in the wake of multiple reports of idol vandalism and looting across the country.

According to the Daily Star report in late September, several Durga Puja committees have received threat letters asking them to pay ৳ 5,00,000 if they wished to celebrate the festival. Several Hindu temples in the Dakop area of Khulna had also filed a police complaint after receiving threat letters.

Meanwhile the Dhaka Tribune reported last month that the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government had advised Puja committess to keep their musical instruments and sound systems switched off during azaan and namaaz. The statement was reportedly made by Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury after a law and order meeting……..”