In the threatening letter received by the temples, everyone has been warned not to celebrate Durga Puja and a ransom of 5 lakh taka has been demanded. The letters have shaken the local Hindu community, and many puja committees have considered canceling the festival.
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Durga Puja (symbolic picture)
aajtak.in
- New Delhi,
- 23 September 2024,
- (Updated September 23, 2024, 6:38 PM IST)
Many temples located in Dakop, Khulna in Bangladesh have recently received anonymous threatening letters. In these letters, a demand has been made that the temple manager should pay a toll of 5 lakh taka. Otherwise they will not be allowed to celebrate Durga Puja. This letter was sent to the leaders of Durga Puja organizing committees and they were warned that if they do not fulfill the demands, they will have to face serious consequences.
Hindu community leaders have expressed their concerns and some have started considering canceling festivals at their temples altogether. On Friday, representatives of four temples lodged a General Diary (GD) at Dakop Police Station. A community leader said that a meeting was called in which many members expressed their desire to cancel the festival.
Sender’s address is different, letter has same handwriting
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However, they have decided that the puja will continue. Shekhar Chandra Goldar, president of the Kamarkhela Sarvajanin Durga Puja Celebration Committee, said, “Our members are no longer interested in celebrating the festival. This year we will have to stop the puja.” A local newspaper has got hold of that letter, in which all three have the same handwriting, but the address of the sender on the envelope is different.
Warning of consequences if you complain to police
According to local media reports, the letter reads, “If you want to perform Durga Puja in 2024, you will have to pay 5 lakh taka. Otherwise you will not be allowed to perform any kind of puja.” It was also threatened that if the letter was shared with authorities or the media, the person responsible would be “cut into pieces”.
Inspector-in-charge of Dakop police station Sirajul Islam said, “Four temples have lodged GD on Friday. We are investigating the matter and are regularly patrolling with the army team.”