Protests erupted in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka after the city polls coincided with the annual Saraswati puja festival. Saraswati puja is also known as Basant Panchami, which is one of the biggest religious festivals of the Hindu community in Bangladesh. The polls are scheduled for January 30.

Dhaka Polls Vs Saraswati Puja: Plea to change poll date rejected

Protests erupted in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka after the city polls coincided with the annual Saraswati puja festival.

The polls are scheduled for January 30, the same day as Saraswati puja also known as Basant Panchami festival which is&nbsp;one of the biggest religious festivals of the Hindu community in Bangladesh.

Over the last two days, thousands have taken to the streets of Dhaka urging the Election Commission&nbsp;to re-schedule the polls.

The matter reached the High Court after a plea was filed urging to re-schedule the election date. However, it was rejected as court said,&nbsp;'declared' day for the Saraswati puja is January 29.

But, petitioners say that the puja will be celebrated over two days, January 29 and 30.

The Election Commission has also rejected the protesters' demand saying it cannot&nbsp;be postponed as high school exams begin from February 2.

The Election Commission further&nbsp;told the protesters to respect the court's order.&nbsp;

According to the 2011 census, Muslims constitute around 90 per cent of the population of Bangladesh while Hindus are the second-largest religious group accounting for nearly 9 per cent.

Secularism 'was' one of the four fundamental principles, according to the 1972 constitution of Bangladesh; but&nbsp;the term was removed from the Constitution in 1977.

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Protests erupted in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka after the city polls coincided with the annual Saraswati puja festival. The polls are scheduled for January 30, the same day as Saraswati puja also known as Basant Panchami festival which is one of the biggest religious festivals of the Hindu community in Bangladesh.

Protests erupted in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka after the city polls coincided with the annual Saraswati puja festival. The polls are scheduled for January 30, the same day as Saraswati puja also known as Basant Panchami festival which is one of the biggest religious festivals of the Hindu community in Bangladesh. Over the last two days, thousands have taken to the streets of Dhaka urging the Election Commission to re-schedule the polls. The matter reached the High Court after a plea was filed urging to re-schedule the election date. However, it was rejected as court said, 'declared' day for the Saraswati puja is January 29. But, petitioners say that the puja will be celebrated over two days, January 29 and 30. The Election Commission has also rejected the protesters' demand saying it cannot be postponed as high school exams begin from February 2. The Election Commission further told the protesters to respect the court's order. According to the 2011 census, Muslims constitute around 90 per cent of the population of Bangladesh while Hindus are the second-largest religious group accounting for nearly 9 per cent. Secularism 'was' one of the four fundamental principles, according to the 1972 constitution of Bangladesh; but the term was removed from the Constitution in 1977.

Bangladesh: Protests erupt in Dhaka after poll date clashes with Saraswati puja

Cochin University of Science and Technology which had earlier denied permission to its students for conducting 'Saraswati Puja' in the college premises has finally allowed the students for undertaking the puja in a "peaceful manner".

News agency ANI reported, "Vice Chancellor of CUSAT has allowed the students to conduct ‘Saraswati Puja’ in Cochin University College of Engineering, Kuttanad campus in "peaceful manner without affecting classes and on the date of 'Visarjan', no procession shall enter the campus."

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Vice Chancellor of CUSAT has allowed the students to conduct ‘Saraswati Pooja’ in Cochin University College of Engineering, Kuttanad campus in "peaceful manner without affecting classes and on the date of 'Visarjan', no procession shall enter the campus." <a href="https://t.co/oqoyT4372c">https://t.co/oqoyT4372c</a>
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The Vice-chancellor had earlier declined the request by North Indian students to conduct ‘Saraswati Puja’ in Cochin University College of Engineering, Kuttanad campus.

Citing the campus as "secular", the Joint Registrar, Cochin University of Science and Technology had said they can not permit functions of any particular religion in the university.

Meanwhile, the students had alleged that the restriction had come into place only this year and a similar puja was conducted in the campus in 2018.

(With inputs from ANI) 
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Cochin University of Science and Technology which had earlier denied permission to its students for conducting 'Saraswati Puja' in the college premises has finally allowed the students for undertaking the puja in a "peaceful manner".

Cochin University of Science and Technology which had earlier denied permission to its students for conducting 'Saraswati Puja' in the college premises has finally allowed the students for undertaking the puja in a "peaceful manner". News agency ANI reported, "Vice Chancellor of CUSAT has allowed the students to conduct ‘Saraswati Puja’ in Cochin University College of Engineering, Kuttanad campus in "peaceful manner without affecting classes and on the date of 'Visarjan', no procession shall enter the campus." Vice Chancellor of CUSAT has allowed the students to conduct ‘Saraswati Pooja’ in Cochin University College of Engineering, Kuttanad campus in "peaceful manner without affecting classes and on the date of 'Visarjan', no procession shall enter the campus." https://t.co/oqoyT4372c — ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2019 × The Vice-chancellor had earlier declined the request by North Indian students to conduct ‘Saraswati Puja’ in Cochin University College of Engineering, Kuttanad campus. Citing the campus as "secular", the Joint Registrar, Cochin University of Science and Technology had said they can not permit functions of any particular religion in the university. Meanwhile, the students had alleged that the restriction had come into place only this year and a similar puja was conducted in the campus in 2018. (With inputs from ANI)

Cochin University finally allows students to perform 'Saraswati Puja'

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Cochin University finally allows students to perform 'Saraswati Puja'