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Key Points

Hindu community leaders in Bangladesh are calling for permanent protection, not just during festivals. They report a surge in temple vandalism across numerous districts as Durga Puja approaches. The leaders also demand the withdrawal of fabricated cases filed against minorities. The opposition Awami League party has condemned the violence, blaming the current interim government for the unsafe environment.

Key Points: Bangladesh Hindus Demand Year-Round Protection Amid Temple Attacks

  • Incidents of temple and idol vandalism reported from 13 districts across Bangladesh
  • Attacks coincide with preparations for the nationwide Durga Puja festival
  • Leaders demand withdrawal of false cases filed against minority community members
  • The Awami League party condemns attacks, slamming the Yunus regime for creating insecurity
2 min read

Hindu community in Bangladesh demands year-round protection amid attacks on temples

Hindu leaders in Bangladesh demand 365-day security after temple vandalism spreads across 13 districts ahead of Durga Puja, blaming the Yunus-led government.

"If we want to build a discrimination-free Bangladesh, we should not only think about security for five days of Puja, we have to think about security for all 365 days - Jayanta Kumar Deb, The Daily Star"

Dhaka, Sep 27

Hindu community leaders in Bangladesh have demanded year-round protection for religious minorities and their places of worship, not just a five-day protection during the Durga Puja, local media reported.

Addressing a press conference in Dhaka, the leaders stated that incidents of temple and idol vandalism had already been reported from 13 districts across the country.

These attacks occurred amid preparations for the largest religious festival of the Hindu minorities in Bangladesh to be celebrated nationwide from September 28 to October 2.

These violent incidents highlight a troubling trend as the nation has witnessed a surge in attacks on Hindu temples and minorities since the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government assumed power in Bangladesh in August 2024.

"If we want to build a discrimination-free Bangladesh, we should not only think about security for five days of Puja, we have to think about security for all 365 days," a leading Bangladeshi newspaper, The Daily Star, quoted Jayanta Kumar Deb, president of Mohanagar Sarbojanin Puja Committee, as saying.

Jayanta also called for the withdrawal of false and baseless cases filed against the leaders of religious and ethnic minorities and other innocent people.

According to Basudev Dhar, President of the Puja Udjapan Parishad, numerous Hindus have been implicated in fabricated cases and urged the interim government to allow them to participate in the Puja.

Meanwhile, Subrata Chowdhury, the advisor of the Puja Udjapan Parishad, stressed that those involved in vandalising idols and temples across the country should be punished in accordance with the law.

Last week, local media reported that miscreants vandalised idols and stole a security camera and memory card at the Shwarupdah Palpara Sri Sri Rakhha Kali Temple in Mirpur upazila of Kushtia district.

Following this, in a similar disturbing act of violence, a miscreant vandalised seven idols at a Hindu temple in Sarishabari upazila of Jamalpur district, amid a continued wave of attacks on religious minorities in Bangladesh.

Earlier this week, Bangladesh's Awami League party condemned the attacks on temples and vandalism of idols during the Durga Puja preparations.

Slamming the Yunus regime, the party said, "Since this illegitimate group seized state power, killings have been carried out against Hindus and other minority communities."

Expressing grave concern, the Awami League also alleged that theYunus regime has rendered Bangladesh unsafe for people of all faiths and beliefs.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Very concerning situation. India should use diplomatic channels to ensure the safety of minorities in our neighboring country. Cultural ties between our nations are ancient and must be respected.
A
Arjun K
The demand for 365-day protection is absolutely justified. Religious minorities should feel secure in their own country. Hope the international community takes note of these human rights violations.
S
Sarah B
While I condemn the attacks, I hope reporting maintains balance. Not all Bangladeshis support such violence - many stand with their Hindu neighbors. The focus should be on building bridges, not divisions.
V
Vikram M
This pattern of attacks during religious festivals needs to stop. The fabric of Bangladeshi society is being torn apart. Strong legal action against perpetrators is the need of the hour.
M
Michael C
As someone who has visited Bangladesh, I know the majority of people are peaceful. The government must act decisively against these fringe elements who are tarnishing the country's image globally.

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