Three Hindu temples were vendalised on Friday in Bangladesh by unidentified miscreants who also rampaged across the area. This act has increased unrest in this area. These attacks occurred amid growing protests over the arrest of a spiritual leader and former ISKCON member on sedition charges. The incidents have drawn widespread condemnation and heightened tensions between Bangladesh and India.
Which Hindu temples were vendalised in Bangladesh?
The vandalism occurred around 2:30 PM at Harish Chandra Munsef Lane targeting Shantaneshwari Matri Temple, Shoni Temple, and Shantaneshwari Kalibari Temple. Witnesses recounted seeing hundreds of people shouting slogans and hurling brickbats at the temples. While the Shoni Temple suffered the most damage, the gates of the other two were also damaged.
Tapan Das, a member of the Shantaneshwari Main Temple Committee said about the whole incident, “A strong rally from Juma pramanuka came shouting ant-Hindu and Anti-ISKCON slogans; ” Even though we ignored this rally, the attacking mob attached without any cause “. However, the situation heated up with brickbats exchange in both ways.
How did the violence begin?
The violence began after Chinmoy Krishna Das, a former ISKCON leader, was under arrest on Monday for alleged disrespect of Bangladesh’s national flag during a rally in Chattogram. Protests broke out in multiple regions of the country, including the capital Dhaka and Chattogram. Notably, Das was denied bail on Tuesday. Members of the Hindu community have raised their voices over rising extremist rhetoric and violence against minorities.
It means India has voiced strong resentment over the attacks. “It is Dhaka’s responsibility to protect the life and liberty of all citizens including minorities,” External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said, urging the interim government in Bangladesh to bring the situation under control and to ensure the safety and physical security of Hindu minorities.
Bangladesh strongly opposes violent protests outside its Deputy High Commission at Kolkata and requested New Delhi to protect its diplomatic missions.
The vandalism of Hindu temples in Bangladesh has further strained ties between the two countries. Both sides are under increasing pressure to take solid action against the violence and protect minorities as communal tensions flare up.