Puja curbs & trade ban

BANGLADESH’s interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, has issued a directive mandating Hindu Puja committees to stop using musical instruments and sound systems five minutes before and during the Islamic azaan and namaz as the country prepares for Durga Puja. This move, ostensibly aimed at maintaining religious harmony, has the shades of a ‘Talibani’ order targeting the country’s beleaguered minority Hindu population. It is a disproportionate imposition on an already vulnerable community in the garb of ensuring law and order during the largest Hindu festival of the region. The curbs may not only deepen the divide between the communities in Bangladesh, but they can also strain the country’s relations with India. The timing is particularly sensitive, given the political situation following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina as the PM.

Dhaka’s decision to ban the export of Padma hilsa — a beloved fish staple during puja festivities in West Bengal — to India could also escalate tensions. This ban is a reversal of the goodwill established by previous governments through ‘hilsa diplomacy’. The symbolic exchange of fish had become a bilateral gesture of friendship.

While these developments have not yet triggered an official diplomatic response from India, they raise concerns over religious and trade policies under Bangladesh’s interim government. In this context, Yunus’ statement on Wednesday that his country seeks strong ties with India based on fairness and equality contradicts his government’s policies. Though the appeal highlights his government’s intent on fostering regional cooperation and mutual respect, it is on an opposite trajectory, thus risking alienating India. The religious restrictions, along with the trade ban, could undermine the historic bond between the two countries. If Bangladesh seeks to maintain peaceful and fruitful relations with India, religious inclusivity and balanced diplomacy must guide its actions moving forward.