Hindus in Bangladesh celebrate Janmashtami
By IANSWednesday, September 1, 2010
DHAKA - Janmashtami, the birthday of Lord Krishna, is being celebrated Wednesday across Muslim-majority Bangladesh.
The day’s programmes include worship of Lord Krishna, puja, Gita Jagna, kirtan, discussions and peace processions, Star Online, the website of The Daily Star reported Wednesday.
The day is a public holiday in the country. Bangladesh has the third largest population of Hindus, who constitute less than 10 percent of the 156 million people.
President Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have greeted the minority Hindu community on the occasion.
The festival, however, coincides with Ramadan, the holy month of the Muslims. Home Minister Sahera Khatun had earlier requested the Hindus to complete their festivities peacefully by 5 p.m., in time for the breaking of fast by the Muslims, a statement that had been criticised by the country’s media as “discriminatory”.
