Communal harmony is Bangladesh's tradition and national strength, 1,127 mandaps hold Puja in Dhaka: DC Farida Khanm

Communal harmony is Bangladesh's long-standing tradition and national strength, Dhaka District Administrator and District Magistrate Farida Khanm has said. She said everyone must play a responsible role to keep intact the bond of harmony built through mutual respect, empathy and cordiality among people of different religions and communities. Her message came on Monday amid the festive atmosphere of Sharodiya Durga Puja across Dhaka.

Farida Khanm made the remarks on Monday afternoon (19 October) while visiting the Panchabati Ashram Sarbojanin Puja Mandap in Savar municipality. During the visit, she inquired about the overall atmosphere of the Puja and the security arrangements and spoke with those concerned.

The district administrator said Sharodiya Durga Puja is being celebrated in a peaceful and festive environment in Dhaka district. The district administration is on the highest alert to ensure security at the Puja mandaps. Executive magistrates, police, Ansar and intelligence agency members are on duty at field level. Volunteers are also working at the mandaps.

She said the overall security situation is being monitored in coordination with the relevant offices and law enforcement agencies. The administration's goal is to ensure that people of every religion can perform their religious rituals undisturbed and safely.

Noting that the administration is ready to deal with any attempt to disrupt the festive environment, Farida Khanm said anyone trying to carry out sabotage, disorder or an unpleasant incident would be dealt with strictly. No negligence or laxity would be tolerated in this regard, she added.

The district administrator urged people to remain alert about rumours and propaganda on social media. She said if a suspicious situation or a risk of an unpleasant incident appears anywhere, the administration and law enforcement agencies must be informed quickly. Everyone should behave responsibly without being misled by rumours, propaganda and provocative information spread on social media.

Farida Khanm said the Sharodiya Durga festival is not only a religious festival, but also an occasion to strengthen mutual cordiality, humanity and the bond of harmony. She expressed hope that with the combined cooperation of worshippers, visitors, organising committees, volunteers and everyone else, the joy of the festival and a peaceful environment would be maintained.

According to information from the Dhaka district administration, Sharodiya Durga Puja is being celebrated this time at a total of 1,127 Puja mandaps in the district including the metropolis. Among them, there are 42 mandaps in Dohar upazila, 201 in Nawabganj, 153 in Keraniganj, 235 in Dhamrai, 238 in Savar and 258 in Dhaka metropolis. The figures show the scale at which the festival is under way across the district and how extensive the work of security and coordination is.

On the occasion of Durga Puja, the district administrator greeted Hindus and people of all levels. She said the bond of communal harmony and brotherhood must be strengthened further through everyone's combined efforts.

Also present during the mandap visit were Fisheries and Livestock State Minister Sultan Salauddin Tuku, Member of Parliament Dr Dewan Mohammad Salahuddin, Dhaka District Council administrator Md Yasin Ferdous Murad, Savar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Saiful Islam, and political leaders at various levels. Their presence reinforced the administration's message of being on the highest alert.

All in all, two points were clear in the administration's remarks: on the one hand, the festival should remain peaceful and joyful, and on the other, any attempt at rumour, sabotage or disorder should be dealt with strictly. From the administration's position, it appears field-level monitoring and coordination will continue for the rest of the Puja period.