Hindus to provide aid to Rohingya cutting Durga Puja cost
Dhaka: Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad, the largest organization of Hindus, has taken a decision to provide assistance to the persecuted Rohingya people by saving the cost of the community's biggest religious festival Durga Puja that begins in the next week.
"The exodus of Rohingya refugees to Bangladesh fleeing violence at Rakhine state of Myanmar has unfolded a horrific humanitarian crisis. We will come up with assistance for the persecuted Rohingya by saving cost of Dugra Puja festival," Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad General Secretary Taposh Kumar Paul told a press conference at Dhakeshwari National Temple in Dhaka.
The Parishad, he said, has also informed the puja committees across the country about the decision, reports news agency BSS.
Organisation's President Jayanto Sen Dipu, leaders Swapan Kumar Saha, Kajal Debnath, Basudeb Dhar, Sabitri Bhattacharya, Nirmol Kumar Chattarjee, Babul Debnath, Mahanagar Sarbajanin Puja Committee President DN Chattarjee and General Secretary Advocate Shyamal Kumar Roy were present on the occasion.
Taposh Paul said the number of puja pandals has increased this year. As many as 30,077 permanent and temporary pandals across the country are being erected this year, he added.
He said the parishad has given directives to all puja pandal committees across the country to remain more alert to avert any untoward incidents.
The parishad leaders urged all irrespective of castes, creeds and religions to stand against all demons (Ashur). They said the essence of Durga Puja is to uproot all devil forces to establish peace and prosperity.
The Parishad also demanded announcing three-day public holidays marking the Durga Puja.
It also demanded illuminating Bangabhaban, Gonobhaban, Nagar Bhaban and government buildings at district levels, distributing improved diets at all prisons, establishment of Hindu Foundation, keeping stopped all examinations at schools, colleges and universities and all recruitment tests, supplying uninterrupted electricity and drinking water at puja pandals marking Durga Puja.