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BBC Bangla<\/a> ran a video story on the matter, which created a hype in Bangladesh, with Yunus himself slamming India for sheltering Sheikh Hasina since last year and the religious affairs adviser terming the portrayal extremely reprehensible and dishonourable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Organised by the Sadhak Narendra Smriti Sangha under the theme “Dahan” (burning of evil), the idol portrayed Mahishasura with an uncanny resemblance to Yunus\u2014complete with his signature clean-shaven face, glasses, and Nobel laureate poise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yunus has been condemned in India for his anti-Hindu and anti-India remarks, patronising Jamaat and jihadists to carry out mob violence, repression and corruption since capturing power last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a conversation hosted by the Asia Society and Asia Society Policy Institute in New York, Yunus on Wednesday said that fake news from India further escalated tensions in Bangladesh. He said: \u201cThey even said I\u2019m a Taliban. I don\u2019t have a beard. I just left it at home.\u201d Yunus maintained that the attacks on Hindu and other minorities post-August 5 were political, not communal in nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sajeeb Wazed: Rise of extremism brought back dark days of minority persecution<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Minority rights group laments Yunus\u2019 denial of communal violence<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n On the other hand, Adviser Dr. AFM Khalid Hossain, the same day, said that there may be political differences or debates between the people of Bangladesh and India. Therefore, it is indecent and sad to present the head of government of one country as an asura or devil in another country. Those who did this did not do well. It destroys people’s sense of respect for others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sheikh Hasina, exiled in India, lambasted Yunus in a September 27 message: “Bangladeshis are held hostage by bigots during the festival,” alleging unchecked atrocities against Hindus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How Mahishasur\u2019s face hurt the feelings<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In Kushtia, the authorities and Touhidi Janata\u2014a common platform of radical Islamist mobs\u2014forced organisers of 38 puja pavilions to remove the beard on Mahishasur\u2019s face, or otherwise hide it with a piece of cloth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They allege that the depiction of the idol with a beard hurt the sentiment of the Muslims, who consider idol worship as haram<\/em> and creation or veneration of idols is seen as shirk<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Similar actions were taken against more pavilions in some other places in Bangladesh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sheikh Hasina greets Hindus on Durga Puja<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Awami League condemns attacks on Durga Puja pavilions, shrines<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n From Sunday night, pictures of Mahishasur\u2019s faces being covered with towels and red cloths were spread on Facebook. Comments for and against these films can be seen throughout the day on Monday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Debesh Chandra Biswas, convener of Kushtia District Puja Celebration Front, posted some pictures from his Facebook account at night and captioned it: “Due to the beard and moustache [of Mahishasura], Kushtia district administration and police administration have covered the demon’s face with a towel in 38 temples of Kushtia district.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, he removed the post at night.<\/p>\n\n\n At around 11:30pm, Shuk Lal, the general secretary of Millline Phul Bagan Harijan Temple Committee, said that an SI of the local police outpost came to the temple at night and told him that the beard on the face of the demon must be removed at night. He was instructed by his seniors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Idols vandalised in four districts ahead of Durga Puja festivities<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Jihadists blueprint to sabotage Durga Puja in Bangladesh and India<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dailyrepublicbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Durga-Puja-mask-3-804x1024.jpeg\")