City polls coinciding with Saraswati Puja
Leaders of the Hindu community yesterday protested Election Commission’s decision to hold the two Dhaka city corporation polls on the day of Saraswati Puja (January 30).
They expressed their dissatisfaction at a joint meeting of Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad and Mahanagar Sarbojanin Puja Committee, said a press release.
Saraswati Puja falls on the fifth day of the Bengali month of Magh, when Hindus worship Saraswati, the goddess of learning, to mark the advent of spring.
Traditionally, children are introduced to lessons on Saraswati Puja. This ritual is called “haatekhori”. Toddlers are usually given a slate and chalk to scribble with.
This year, the Hindu community will observe Saraswati Puja across the country on January 30 amid much enthusiasm and festivity.
“Hindu voters as well as those assigned in duties at the polling centres will be deprived of the celebration,” the press release said, adding that the celebration arrangement will also be hampered in schools and colleges as those would be used as polling centres.
Considering the situation, they demanded rescheduling of the election date.
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