Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam Mian on Wednesday urged people to reflect religious teachings in their conduct and everyday lives rather than confining them to festivals.
He said peace and humanity were at the heart of every religion.
Speaking to journalists while inspecting idol immersion at Patenga Sea Beach on Bijoya Dashami, he said religious celebrations would become more meaningful if their underlying values were reflected in people’s actions.
“Religion always wants the world to remain in peace. We observe religion and celebrate festivals. But we should not remain limited to festivals alone. If we can express the ideals of religion in our actions, these arrangements of ours will become far more meaningful,” he said.
According to the district administration, Durga Puja was celebrated at 2,593 mandaps across Chattogram this year, the highest number among the country’s districts and nearly 400 more than last year.
Of these, 271 mandaps were located in Chattogram city, with most of their idols immersed at Patenga Sea Beach.
The district administration said the festival concluded without any untoward incidents anywhere in the district.
Highlighting communal harmony during the celebrations, the deputy commissioner said Muslims and people of other faiths had joined Hindu devotees at different mandaps, helped guard the venues and participated in the festivities.
“The festival may belong to the Sanatanis, but Muslims and people of other religions sat together with them, celebrated the festival and guarded the venues. This is actually our Bangladesh,” he said.
Ahead of Durga Puja, the district administration inspected mandaps across several upazilas, particularly in remote areas and places where violence had occurred in the past.
In Banshkhali, Mian visited the West Chambal Banglabazar Sarbojonin Bura Kali Mandir, Sri Sri Advaitananda Rishimath and Mission, Sadhanpur Pallimangal Samiti and Banigram Jagannathdham puja mandaps.
According to the district administration, several temples in Banshkhali, including those in West Chambal Banglabazar Joldashpara, had previously suffered attacks, vandalism and arson, leaving several people injured and prompting multiple lawsuits.
Security was therefore strengthened in those areas during this year’s festival.
Members of the Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP) maintained round-the-clock security at the mandaps, while police, Special Response Battalion (SRB) personnel and designated officials conducted surveillance.
The deputy commissioner also visited the historic Medhasmuni Ashram in Boalkhali and the ancient Guptabari in Lohagara, where he spoke with organisers and devotees about security arrangements.
The district administration distributed sarees among female devotees and provided financial assistance to several underprivileged puja mandaps.
Referring to the significance of idol immersion, Mian said Durga Puja conveyed the message of defeating evil and establishing peace and welfare in society.
He urged people to put aside jealousy and hostility and work towards building a more humane society.
“Through the immersion of idols today, we want to eradicate all evil forces from society and establish a peaceful and humane society,” he said.
The deputy commissioner said he was deeply impressed by the spontaneous participation of devotees and the cooperation of people from other faiths, from remote fishing communities in Banshkhali to celebration venues in Boalkhali and Lohagara.
Referring to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s participation in a Durga Puja programme in Chattogram, he recalled the Prime Minister’s message that Bangladesh belonged to everyone and that all citizens should work together to build the country.
“We want to establish a peaceful state, a humane state and a safe state where you, I and your children will remain safe,” he said.
He also praised the large turnout and disciplined conduct of devotees at the immersion venue.
Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Md Sharif Uddin, Patenga Circle Assistant Commissioner (Land) Shahid Israq and leaders of the Chattogram Metropolitan unit of Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad accompanied him.
Mian thanked the Puja Udjapan Committee, law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders for their cooperation in ensuring peaceful celebrations, urging everyone to preserve communal harmony and work together towards a safe and humane Bangladesh.
