Md. Rakel Islam, Bogura

A preparatory meeting for the upcoming autumn Durga Puja ended in a commotion on Monday  as Hindu community leaders walked out in protest, alleging that the district administration denied them the opportunity to speak.

The incident occurred on Monday afternoon at the conference room of the Bogura Deputy Commissioner. 

According to eyewitnesses, the district administration convened the meeting around 11:00 am to discuss measures for the peaceful celebration of Durga Puja. Representatives from traditional religious groups and leaders of the Puja Celebration Council from all 13 upazilas of Bogura attended the meeting. Bogura Sadar MP and District BNP President Rezaul Karim Badsha was present as the chief guest.

Trouble brewed after DC Taufiqur Rahman cut the local representatives' speeches short after hearing from only four or five upazila-level leaders, citing a pre-scheduled program for World Teachers' Day. The floor was then handed over to political leaders and law enforcement representatives.

Aggrieved at being unable to raise local issues, pressing demands, and security concerns, several leaders expressed deep dissatisfaction. At one point, District Puja Celebration Council President Parimal Chandra Das and other representatives staged a walkout in protest.

The situation was later defused by local MP Rezaul Karim Badsha, who intervened and persuaded the protesting leaders to rejoin the meeting.

Speaking on the matter, Dhunat Upazila Puja Celebration Committee President Principal Bikash Chandra Saha said, "Only a few representatives managed to speak before we were told to summarize. This generated widespread resentment among everyone present."

Echoing similar concerns, Bogura District Puja Udjavan Parishad President Parimal Chandra Das expressed his dismay, stating, "Our leaders travel 30 to 35 kilometers from remote upazilas to attend this annual meeting with the district administration. If time was limited due to Teachers' Day, the DC should have scheduled our meeting on another day instead of inviting and disrespecting us by denying us a voice."

Acknowledging the incident, Bogura DC Md. Taufiqur Rahman said,  district leaders did not seek to speak during the designated segment for the Puja Celebration Committee. "Later, when law enforcement officials were giving their remarks, they complained about not receiving enough time. They felt hurt and stepped out, but eventually returned upon request," the DC added.