Durga Puja Incidents Reported in Bangladesh Before Festival

Two Hindu organisations have reported at least 34 Durga Puja incidents in Bangladesh ahead of the festival, which began on October 16. The Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad and the Mahanagar Sarbojanin Puja Committee shared the figure at a press conference at Dhakeshwari National Temple in Dhaka on Thursday, October 15, 2026. The count covers idol vandalism, temple attacks and related offences. However, the reports of the press conference do not give one cause for all 34 cases. (Source: Dhaka Tribune)

What the Durga Puja incidents include

The organisations described the 34 cases as idol vandalism, attacks on temples and other related incidents. Their written statement said such attacks happened in Sylhet, Rajbari, Panchagarh, Netrokona and Tangail during preparations for the festival. (Source: Dhaka Tribune)

The statement also listed other cases. It reported a theft at a historic Kali temple in Faridpur. It also said attackers targeted and looted Hindu homes, shops and temples in Sunamganj. In Naogaon, people posing as intelligence agency staff carried out a robbery, but law enforcement agencies responded quickly and arrested many suspects. (Source: Prothom Alo)

As a result, the 34 cases are not all the same kind of event. Some involved theft or robbery, while others involved vandalism or attacks on religious sites.

Arrests and the organisers’ view

Santosh Sharma, general secretary of the Parishad, said police had made arrests in 11 of the 34 incidents. He added that authorities had taken action in the other cases too. He also called some incidents relatively minor and said, “We are satisfied so far.” (Source: Dhaka Tribune)

Sharma also said negligence by some Puja committees contributed to a few incidents. In Netrokona, for example, guards watched the venue through the night, but nobody stood guard around 5:00 am when the incident happened. In addition, the temple’s CCTV camera did not work. (Source: Dhaka Tribune)

At the same time, Sharma asked for justice in major past attacks on the Hindu community. He named the Ramu violence, the Nasirnagar attacks, the 2021 Comilla incident and the Sunamganj attacks. (Source: Dhaka Tribune)

Security response to the Durga Puja incidents

Meanwhile, security forces have started large deployments. Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) will deploy around 10,000 members from October 16 to 22. The force will provide security at 2,727 puja mandaps within eight kilometres of the border and near battalion headquarters. (Source: Dhaka Tribune)

In addition, the Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP) said it has deployed 212,818 members across the country. BGB personnel also stood guard at Dhakeshwari National Temple on Thursday. (Source: Prothom Alo)

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed spoke at a Banani field mandap in Dhaka on Friday night. He said it is unfortunate that security keeps coming up during Durga Puja. He also stressed that all citizens have equal rights and that nobody should face discrimination because of religion. (Source: Dhaka Tribune)

Prime Minister’s message on security

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman issued a Durga Puja message on October 16. He said, “Religion belongs to individuals, while the state belongs to all.” (Source: The Daily Star)

He also said everyone has a right to security, regardless of religion. Furthermore, he urged the Hindu community to celebrate the festival with confidence. (Source: Dhaka Tribune)

FAQs

Q1. How many Durga Puja incidents were reported in Bangladesh in 2026?
Two Hindu organisations reported at least 34 incidents before the festival. These include idol vandalism, temple attacks and related cases.

Q2. Who reported the 34 Durga Puja incidents?
The Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad and the Mahanagar Sarbojanin Puja Committee. They spoke at a press conference at Dhakeshwari National Temple on October 15.

Q3. Were there arrests in the Durga Puja incidents?
Parishad General Secretary Santosh Sharma said arrests were made in 11 of the 34 incidents. He said action was taken in the others too.

Q4. What did the Prime Minister say about Durga Puja security?
Tarique Rahman said religion belongs to individuals but the state belongs to all. He said everyone has a right to security, whatever their religion.

Q5. When does Durga Puja 2026 end in Bangladesh?
It ends on Wednesday, October 21, with Bijoya Dashami processions at 3:00 pm and the immersion of idols.