Durga Puja begins October 2
Postponement of BCS exams demanded
Leaders of the country's Hindu community yesterday demanded postponement of the written tests for Bangladesh Cadre Service (BCS), which fall on the days when their largest religious festival Durga Puja will be in progress on October 2-6.
The written tests on international affairs, mathematical reasoning and mental ability, Bengali-1 and Bengali-2 will be hold on October 2-5, according to the examination schedule of the 31st BCS examination under Bangladesh Public Service Commission (PSC).
The Hindu leaders came up with the demand in a view-exchange meeting with journalists organised by Bangladesh Puja Udjapon Parishad at Dhakeswari National Temple in the city yesterday.
Mongol Chandra Ghosh, general secretary of the parishad, in a written speech termed the PSC decision "inhumane" and "envious". He said the decision has hurt the sentiment of the Hindu community.
Ghosh said people of the Hindu community will be deprived of the celebration of their biggest religious festival due to the decision. He demanded the examination be deferred.
Advocate Subrata Chowdhury, president of Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad, said they have sent a written application to the chairman of PSC to reschedule the examination.
“I have even discussed the matter with a member of the commission over phone but am yet to get any reply from their side”, said Subrata. He demanded the political parties do not schedule their political programme on the festival days.
Mongol Ghosh said the number of Puja mandaps (pavilion) across the country has been increased this year, with about 28,000 mandaps being erected to celebrate the Durga Puja. Last year around 27,000 mandaps were set up.
Ghosh said, “We have had talks with the home minister and the inspector general of police (IGP) about the preparation of the Durga Puja, and they assured us of providing all sorts of support in celebrating the festival”.
At the meeting, the Hindu community leaders also expressed frustration over the 15th amendment to the constitution and reiterated their demand for reinstatement of the original constitution of 1972. Another demand was that the vested property act be passed in the next session of the parliament in line with a seven-point proposal given by them.
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