Bangladesh: Attack on Three Hindu Temples in Chattogram
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Dhaka, Nov 30 (NationPress) In a troubling incident, three Hindu temples in Chattogram, Bangladesh, were vandalised by a mob chanting slogans, amidst ongoing protests and violence in the area.
The attack transpired around 2:30 P.M. on Friday in the Harish Chandra Munsef Lane locality, specifically targeting the Santaneshwar Matri Temple, the Shoni Temple, and the Shantaneshwari Kalibari Temple.
As reported by BDNews24.com, a group of several hundred individuals, after attending Friday prayers, descended upon the temples, hurling brickbats and causing significant damage to the Shoni Temple and the gates of the other two temples.
The temple authorities verified the extent of the damage, which included shattered gates and other vandalised structures.
Kotwali Police Station chief Abdul Karim confirmed the attack, noting that the assailants made intentional efforts to damage the temples.
Tapan Das, a permanent member of the Santaneshwar Matri Temple management committee, recounted the alarming events, stating that the attackers began chanting anti-Hindu and anti-ISKCON slogans as they arrived in large numbers.
The violence has been escalating in Chattogram following the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, a former member of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), who was detained on accusations of disrespecting the Bangladesh national flag. The protests and unrest surrounding his arrest have heightened tensions in the region.
Tapan Das further disclosed that the temple authorities did not confront the attackers during the assault and instead sought military assistance as the situation deteriorated.
The Army responded swiftly and aided in restoring order. By the time the mob arrived, the temple gates had been secured, but the damage to the structures had already been inflicted. Reports indicate that the attack seemed unprovoked, and no significant resistance was offered by the temple staff.
This incident has raised serious concerns about the safety of religious minorities in Bangladesh, including Hindus, Christians, and Buddhists.
