Bangladesh, Sept. 8 -- In a deeply disturbing development that threatens Bangladeshs fragile communal harmony, Lieutenant General (Retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, the Home Affairs Advisor to Muhammad Yunus, made highly objectionable remarks about the upcoming Sharadiya Durga Puja – the biggest religious festival of the countrys Hindu community.

On September 8, during a preparatory meeting for Durga Puja, Chowdhury issued what he termed an “order” and declared before journalists:

“There must not be any gathering for alcohol or cannabis during Durga Puja”.

Such a statement, by directly linking Bangladeshs most revered Hindu festival with alcohol and drugs, is not only insulting to the Hindu community but als...