
The National Parliament of Bangladesh
While his interim government continuously fails to check violent and even fatal attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh by Islamic radicals, Professor Muhammad Yunus, today called upon all Hindus to devote themselves to the development and progress of the country by becoming a “devotee of knowledge.”

He greeted the Hindu population of his country on the occasion of Saraswati Puja in Dhaka today and, in a message, termed Bangladesh an abode of communal harmony, where people of all religions, castes, and creeds lived together for thousands of years.
“The goddess Saraswati is a symbol of truth, justice, and the light of knowledge. She is the omnipotent of knowledge, speech and melody,” said Yunus, adding, “On the occasion of worshipping goddess Saraswati, He also wished peace, welfare, and prosperity for all citizens of the Muslim majority South Asian nation.
Also read: Yunus cannot overlook the persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh
Mentioning the interim government, which was formed through the ‘unprecedented uprising of the students, workers, and the masses’ in July and August 2024, which compelled the sitting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to flee from Dhaka and take shelter in India, Yunus stated that his regime has been working “tirelessly to improve the fate of all Bangladeshi nationals irrespective of race, religion, and caste ensuring equal rights to them.”
As Saraswati Puja is a major religious festival of the Hindu community in Bangladesh, they celebrate the occasion every year amid enthusiasm, festivity and religious fervour seeking blessings to enhance their creative endeavours in respective fields.
Hindu temples along with universities, colleges, schools and other educational institutions across Bangladesh organize the festival with traditional gaiety.
Jagannath Hall premises of Dhaka University always attracted a large number of devotees with more than 70 Puja Pandals by various departments. All-female dormitories on the Dhaka University campus also worshipped the deity. Dhakeshwari Mandir, Siddheswari Mandir, Ramna Kali Mandir, Ramakrishna Mission, Maa Anandamayi Ashram, Jagannath University, Stamford University, Dhaka College, Eden Girls’ College, Tejgaon College with many other institutions in north and south Bangladesh also celebrate the festival.
Saraswati Puja remains an integral part of Basant Panchami, which falls in the month of Magh under the Hindu lunar calendar and marks the transition from winter to spring season, it’s believed that Goddess Saraswati was born on the sacred day to bless the human race with her eternal spirit of learning and intellectual pursuits.
Besides the Hindu majority nations India and Nepal, very similar celebrations are observed in Japan, where Goddess Benzaiten is worshipped as the deity of wisdom, music, and learning. Some traditions in ancient Greece and present-day China also reflect similar fortitudes.
The festival is widely regarded in eastern India, where students, academicians, scholars, writers, journalists, painters, musicians and other professionals worship Devi Saraswati adoring a Veena (musical instrument), a manuscript (symbolizing knowledge), a garland (rosary) and accompanying by a divine swan symbolizing the purity and serenity.
Meanwhile, in view of the persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh, the Paramdharmasansad 1008, assembled at the call of the Shankaracharya in Prayagraj, demanded from the Government of India that India should amend its Constitution with strict safeguards and pass a Citizenship Law so that persecuted Hindus across the world get the right to migrate to India and they should be granted citizenship within one year of coming to India.
*Senior journalist
(With bureau inputs from Prayagraj)