There seems to have been little impact of militant attacks and threats on worshippers. The Hindu, Christian and Buddhist communities are carrying out their religious activities with harmony, though they are aware of threats by Islamist militants.
In the capital’s churches, temples and "maths", people are attending prayers and worshipping as they did when they never thought that they would be hacked or given death threats.
Talking to The Independent, Ramakrishna Mission principal Srimat Swami Dhrubeshananda Moharaj said: “Militancy threat has not stopped people from coming to this serene place. But recent threats have surely had some effect on the devotees. They are more careful now about their safety. But the crowds at the mission are like they used to be in the past. However, people are no longer allowed to enter the small green field in front of the Mission building due to security concerns. Many people from other religions visit the place. But now people are allowed inside the ‘math’ after proper checking.”
On the occasion of Guru Purnima (a festival traditionally celebrated by Hindus, Jains and Buddhists to pay their respects to their spiritual teachers and express their gratitude) on Tuesday, a special prayer was held at the RK Mission. It was attended by a large number of devotees.
"People cannot stop coming to the 'math' because of militancy threat. We've come and we will enjoy the serenity here," said a devotee. “Everyday, after office, I come here and sit before Ramakrishna's idol and meditate to revive my mind that becomes fed up with city noise. I can't stop doing that,” he added.
However, after a killing threat to the Mission chief, security has been beefed up at the ‘math’. Four or five policemen are on 24-hour duty.
"We are aware of the country's situation and can't take the threat to the priest lightly. We let the devotees and other people enter the Mission after proper checking," said police officer M Molla.
Holy Rosary Church's Father Kamal A Corraya, while talking to The Independent, said: “The recent attacks on Christians by Islamists have made us aware. We are more careful now.”
“Along with performing mass (act of divine worship in the Catholic Church), we talk about family issues to ensure whether children are brought up in a proper and religious way. We know the faces of devotees who come to the church to pray. Our devotees themselves are aware of the Islamist threats. They have taken the responsibility to ensure that the church remains a safe place. They take turns manning the entrance, checking any outsider wanting to enter the church. Besides, law enforcers regularly communicate with us to inquire if the church has any security problems," Father Corraya said. The number of devotees at the church has not dropped after militant threats, he added.
The church in the Tejgaon area of the capital gets 8,000 to 9,000 devotees for Sunday prayers and 200 to 250 devotees everyday. There are 15,650 Catholics under this church.
In the past few hours, priests of six Hindu temples in Pirojpur, Rangpur and Patuakhali districts, as well as leaders of the minority community, have been given death threats by unknown persons. The threats follow recent attacks on several activists and people belonging to minority communities and deadly attacks at Gulshan and Sholakia.