Why Was Another Hindu Temple Vandalised in Bangladesh Ahead of Durga Puja?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Vandalism of Hindu temples is a troubling trend in Bangladesh.
- Acts of violence are increasing against religious minorities.
- The incident occurred just before the significant Durga Puja festival.
- Local authorities are investigating the attack.
- The comments from government officials have added to tensions.
Dhaka, Sep 15 (NationPress) In a troubling incident targeting a Hindu temple in Bangladesh, vandals damaged idols and stole a security camera along with its memory card, according to local news reports.
The attack took place on Sunday night at the Shwarupdah Palpara Sri Sri Rakhha Kali Temple in Mirpur upazila, Kushtia district, just before the Durga Puja festivities, which are the largest religious celebrations for the Hindu minority in the nation.
Amaresh Ghosh, the president of the temple committee, reported that the culprits broke the heads and hands of the Kartik and Saraswati idols.
“When the incident occurred, the area was without electricity, and light rain was falling. The vandals exploited this situation to commit the act. Despite the temple being protected daily, the vandalism happened during the load-shedding,” quoted Ghosh in The Business Standard.
Badal Kumar Dey, the former secretary of the temple committee, expressed concern, stating, “We have celebrated Durga Puja here for the past three years. This incident before the festival has instilled fear in us.”
Mirpur Police Station officer-in-charge, Mominul Islam, confirmed the incident, stating, “We responded promptly upon receiving the news. A comprehensive report will follow after the inquiry.”
The vandalism of the Hindu temple in Kushtia is part of a larger pattern of violence against minorities in Bangladesh under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus. Since his assumption of power in August 2024, there has been a noticeable rise in attacks on Hindu temples.
Recently, the Awami League party condemned the interim government's Home Advisor, Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, for his derogatory comments about Hinduism, which he described as “gatherings of liquor and drugs.”
The remarks came just ahead of the Durga Puja celebrations, prompting the Awami League to declare, “The Home Affairs Advisor of the illegitimate Yunus government has undermined the spirit of Bangladesh's Liberation War with his vile comments against Hinduism.”
The party emphasized that such statements are not only disrespectful but also a perilous attempt to incite religious hatred.
Since the removal of the democratically elected Awami League government led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has been plagued by violence and lawlessness, with the interim government facing significant backlash for harboring radical Islamic groups.