In recent incidents, a total of eight idols were vandalised in three Hindu temples located in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh and Dinajpur districts over the span of two days. Authorities have taken action by arresting a suspect in connection with the vandalism at one of the temples, as reported by The Daily Star newspaper.
These acts of vandalism are just the latest in a series of attacks targeting the minority Hindu community in Bangladesh. In the Haluaghat sub-district of Mymensingh, three idols from two temples were vandalised in the early hours of Thursday and Friday. Abul Khayer, the officer-in-charge of Haluaghat Police Station, confirmed the incident and mentioned that two idols at Bonderpara Temple in the Shakuai union were ransacked by the attackers on Friday.
Meanwhile, in another incident in Haluaghat, an idol at Polashkanda Kali Temple in Beeldora union was also vandalised on Thursday. A 27-year-old man from the Polashkanda village was arrested by the police in connection with this crime. The suspect, Alal Uddin, confessed to his involvement during interrogation and was subsequently sent to jail after appearing before a Mymensingh court.
Additionally, in the Birganj sub-district of Dinajpur, five idols were vandalised at Jharbari Shashan Kali Temple on Tuesday, with the incident being reported on Thursday. Janardan Roy, the president of the temple committee, expressed shock over the incident, stating that such acts of vandalism were unprecedented in the area. The local police are currently investigating the matter.
These recent incidents add to the growing concerns regarding the safety and security of the Hindu community in Bangladesh. Last week, four individuals were arrested for vandalising a Hindu temple and causing damage to houses and shops belonging to the community in Sunamganj district in northern Bangladesh. Furthermore, on November 29, three Hindu temples were vandalised by a group shouting slogans in Chattogram, leading to protests and violence in the region.
The strained relations between India and Bangladesh have been exacerbated by these incidents, particularly following the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, a former member of ISKCON Bangladesh. The escalating number of anti-Hindu attacks has sparked a diplomatic dispute between the two neighboring countries.
In response to these incidents, India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has expressed concerns over the safety and well-being of minorities, including Hindus, during meetings with Bangladeshi leadership in Dhaka. The situation remains tense as both countries navigate through the fallout of these unfortunate events.
