The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Oikyo Parishad (BHBCOP) has expressed deep concern over the statements of the home adviser and legal actions over the allegation of hurting the religious sentiments of the Muslims for the bearded idols of Mahishasura at 793 Durga Puja pavilions.
On October 5, Home Adviser Lt Gen (Retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said that general diaries have been filed with local police stations against artists, worshipers and organisers, and an investigation has been launched for “attaching beards” to the faces of Mahishasura.
Mahishasura’s beard censored in Bangladesh, India’s Yunus satire sparks outrage
Sajeeb Wazed: Rise of extremism brought back dark days of minority persecution
Minority rights group laments Yunus’ denial of communal violence
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, the Central Committee of the BHBCOP said that such statements and initiatives on the part of the interim government may further encourage the ongoing violence of communal forces against the country’s minority communities. Minorities may face various forms of harassment and oppression.
Among other places, in Kushtia, the authorities and Touhidi Janata—a common platform of radical Islamist mobs—forced organisers of 38 puja pavilions to remove the beard on Mahishasur’s face, or otherwise hide it with a piece of cloth.
Pictures of Mahishasur’s faces being covered with towels and red cloths were spread on Facebook.
They allege that the depiction of the idol with a beard hurt the sentiment of the Muslims, who consider idol worship as haram and creation or veneration of idols is seen as shirk.
Earlier, the home adviser drew severe criticism by saying that the Durga Puja is all about consuming alcohol and cannabis.
Bangladesh’s minority rights group concerned over possible exodus to India
Idols vandalised in four districts ahead of Durga Puja festivities
Jihadists blueprint to sabotage Durga Puja in Bangladesh and India
The statement added that for decades, artists associated with idol-making in secular Bangladesh have been using various forms to symbolise evil forces, and this year is no exception.
Everyone, including the current government, must stop using the law as a tool of torture against minorities. At the same time, non-communal, free-spirited and humane social forces should speak out against such malicious attempts at the local and national levels, the BHBCOP said.
Bengali 
English