Durga puja -- one of the most sacred religious events for Hindus -- is going on in full swing. Much like the two Eids and Christmas, this puja is a time of celebration for all regardless of ethnicity and creed, and much like those events, Durga Puja deserves to be a safe space for all participants. 

In recent years, while there have been relative peace during this time, there were specific incidents which threatened to undermine the communal harmony that is part and parcel of our culture and have threatened to spiral into unmanageable conflicts. 

Just two years ago, there was the incident of a Quran being placed at the foot of a Puja pandal which resulted in multiple casualties. While Bangladesh continues to be a relatively safe place for people of all creeds, incidents like this instill a certain amount of fear and anxiety in the hearts of minorities, and we need to be pro-active with mitigative measures. 

Essentially, these are isolated incidents perpetrated by hateful individuals, and we need to be vigilant to nip them in the bud. As such, it is in the authorities best interest to take pro-active measures so that the minority population can enjoy the same rights and safety as the majority.

The DMP have announced tight security measures as part of their Puja preparation. The ruling party has also announced vigilance on their part. This is a good first step. Local communities must also do their part to ensure that we can continue to live in a state of peace and harmony. 

We are all Bangladeshis, and we are all in this together. It is our duty to make sure that all of us are free to pursue our religion the way we want, and all of us are afforded the same safety and peace of mind. 

https://www.dhakatribune.com/328595