Followers of the minority Hindu faith held prayers and took out processions in Bangladesh on Monday (August 26, 2024). This is the biggest Hindu festival since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government earlier this month.

Temples in Dhaka and in other cities held Kirtan and Geeta Yagya as thousands of Hindus were seen visiting temples and offering prayers.

The mood of the festival, which is a public holiday in Dhaka, was set by Chief Adviser to the Interim Government of Bangladesh Prof. Muhammad Yunus, who appeared on TV on Sunday (August 25, 2024) evening for a national address and assured that citizens of Bangladesh will not be discriminated against on the basis of religion or political beliefs.

Apart from the Dhakeshwari temple of Dhaka, celebrations have been reported from Chittagong, Rangpur and other areas of Bangladesh, though the festivity in the eastern districts of Brahmanbaria, Comilla and Feni has been dampened because of the floods.

Also Read: Tripura dam didn’t cause Bangladesh floods: India

In many places, the festival committees pledged financial support to the flood-affected regions in the east. In many festival spots, representatives from the biggest opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s cadre were seen helping with the organisational work.

The celebrations of Sri Krishna Janmashtami came twenty-one days after the departure of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, which coincided with reported attacks on the minority communities of Bangladesh. The spirit of brotherhood generated by Prof. Yunus’ speech was, however, dented later in the evening when a large group of student protesters, the predominant political group in post-Hasina Bangladesh, clashed with the paramilitary Ansar employees.

Ansar members had been protesting, seeking regularization of their services. By various accounts, around six million members of the Ansar group were hired during the Sheikh Hasina years.

Also Read: Bangladesh’s interim government focused on improving law and order situation, says new security adviser

Later during Sunday (August 25, 2024) night, the students held a press meeting in which they accused the Ansar group of being pro-Hasina and accused the Indian authorities and Ms. Hasina of provoking the paramilitary to launch the attack.

On the other hand, Prof. Yunus has urged all sections of Bangladesh society to desist from launching protests in order to press their demands and requested the pressure groups to give written statements seeking resolution of problems.

Bhopal:

A Madhya Pradesh government directive to schools and colleges in the state – to celebrate Krishna Janmashtami, or the birth of Krishna – has sparked a political squabble between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress, with the latter accusing the saffron party of trying to politicise education.

The Congress has asserted that centres of learning should remain “only for studies”. MLA Arif Masood demanded to know “why this government is engaged in ruining educational institutions”.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav dismissed the Congress’ objection, declaring the state had been blessed by Lord Krishna and emphasised the historical and cultural significance of the festival. He pointed to popular tourist sites in Madhya Pradesh – including Narayan, Amjhera, and Janapav Dham – that are associated with Krishna, and announced plans to develop these areas as pilgrimage destinations.

“Lord Krishna highlighted the importance of education 5,000 years ago. He came to Ujjain from Mathura to receive education. What could be a more auspicious time to celebrate his teachings?”

“The friendship of Krishna and Sudama at Narayan Dham symbolises the bond between the rich and the poor. What is wrong with promoting the place that represents Lord Krishna’s bravery?”

The Chief Minister also pointed out other cities associated with Krishna also celebrated the day, and asked, “If we do not remember places associated with Lord Krishna on Janmashtami, then why remember Mathura? If Janmashtami is celebrated in Mathura, will Congress stop visiting?”

“This is nothing but disrespectful and nonsensical talk,” he declared.

BJP MLA Rameshwar Sharma also hit out at the Congress and shot off a jab on furore over the consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, for which senior Congress leaders like Sonia Gandhi were invited but chose not to go. “It is a crime only in the eyes of the Congress. They used to be allergic to Lord Ram earlier… now allergic to Lord Krishna,” he said.

Issued on Wednesday, the state government’s order directs district officials to ensure temples dedicated to Krishna are cleaned and play host to “cultural programs”.

The Congress has objected strongly, insisting that schools and colleges, and other educational institutions, should be free from religious or political influence. “Educational institutions are for education… and they should be allowed to function as such. There is already a holiday in schools and colleges for religious events and people celebrate these according to their beliefs,” Mr Masood said.

He also pointed to the state government “raising questions about our madrasas”.

“On one hand you make Janmashtami celebrations compulsory… and on the other you are raising questions about our madrasas. What exactly is the government trying to achieve?”

“I am unable to understand why this government is ruining educational institutions…” he continued, warning also of the dangers of making celebration of any festival mandatory.

With input from agencies

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