The decision, made public on 6 October 2024 by Prajna Jyoti Bhikkhu, vice-president of the PSSB, marks the first time in Bangladesh's history that the "Kathin Chibar Dan", traditionally celebrated after the monks' three-month monsoon retreat, will not take place in the region. At least 15 other Buddhist organizations have expressed their support for the boycott.

"The attacks on homes and religious sites of ethnic minorities during periods of imposed curfews have left us feeling extremely insecure," Bhikkhu said at a press conference in Rangamati, one of the three districts of the CHT. He referred to recent ethnic clashes between Buddhist-majority tribal groups and Bengali Muslim settlers, which occurred in mid-September and early October.

The violence was initially sparked by the mysterious murder of a Bengali Muslim in Khagrachhari’s Dighinala area on September 19. Tensions escalated further after the lynching of a Bengali Muslim teacher accused of rape in Khagrachhari town in early October. These incidents led to the deaths of four tribal people, dozens of injuries, and the destruction of approximately 200 homes and shops. Several Buddhist temples, including Rangamati's Maitri Vihara, were reportedly attacked.

In response to the violence, authorities imposed curfews in the Khagrachhari and Rangamati districts, which have since been lifted. However, the government has implemented a tourism ban in the region from October 9-31, citing safety precautions. Chattogram divisional commissioner Tofayel Ahmed stated that the ban aims to protect both locals and visitors, and he urged Buddhists to proceed with the Kathina festival, assuring them of their safety.

Despite these assurances, Prajna Jyoti Bhikkhu expressed doubts about the security situation, alleging that there have been efforts to downplay the violence. “The inaction or biased action of the security forces magnifies such violence,” he said, adding that this fear of further attacks has made the festival untenable this year.

The CHT, Bangladesh's only mountainous region, has long been a hotspot for ethnic tensions. Historically a Buddhist-majority tribal area, the region underwent significant demographic changes after Bangladesh's independence in 1971, due to a state-sponsored initiative that resettled Bengali Muslims in the area. The resulting land disputes between the indigenous tribal groups and the settlers led to an armed insurgency that lasted until a peace treaty was signed in 1997.

Despite the treaty, many of its key provisions, including regional autonomy and the resolution of land disputes, remain unfulfilled. This has led to continued tensions and sporadic violence, as armed tribal groups vie for control in the region.

Police have confirmed that seven cases have been filed and four arrests have been made in connection with the recent violence. However, no arrests have been made over the murder of the Bengali man in September, which triggered the initial unrest. Observers say the lack of justice and failure to implement the 1997 treaty are the root causes of the ongoing instability in the CHT.