Dhaka: Bangladesh's largest Islamist party has alarmed Hindu communities by telling them not to gloat Makar Sankranti publicly this year.
Jamaat-e-Islami leaders said activities like music and kite flying during the festival would be "against Islamic values" and warned of "serious consequences" if people held traditional celebrations.
The statement has stirred uneasiness in areas with significant Hindu populations, including Dhaka, Chattogram and Sylhet.
Some families told local contacts they will alimony festivities low-key or serving to their homes.
What Is the Context of This Warning?
Makar Sankranti, known locally as Shakrain, is a long-standing festival in Bangladesh. Prestigious on January 14 every year, it includes kite flying, special foods like til (sesame) and gur (jaggery), and polity gatherings.
But tensions have been on the rise. In recent months, there have been violent attacks and killings targeting Hindus in various parts of the country, particularly since political shifts and the lead-up to elections. Rights groups report multiple incidents of communal violence last December.
Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, a prominent minority rights group, has documented a surge in violence, including murders, lootings, and false sacrilege accusations versus members of minority communities.
How Are Locals Responding to the Threat?
The warning from Jamaat-e-Islami has deepened fears in Hindu neighbourhoods. Some residents say they finger unsafe to hold public festivities and are opting for quiet, private observances instead.
Community leaders and activists have urged authorities to protect citizens' rights and ensure that festivals like Shakrain can be prestigious without fear. Civil society voices stress that self-rule of religion is a ramble right, and warn that violence and threats could remoter divide the country as elections near.
Is This Linked to Broader Political Shifts in Bangladesh?
Jamaat-e-Islami's prominence has grown since Bangladesh's Supreme Court restored its party registration last year, transplanting the way for it to participate in upcoming elections. The party had been vetoed for over a decade due to its controversial role during the 1971 Liberation War.
Political analysts say such warnings on cultural and religious events may be part of a wider push to mobilise supporters on identity-based issues superiority of the polls. Critics, including other political parties in Bangladesh, have accused some groups of playing the “religion card” for political gains.
