Dhaka, Sep 21 (NationPress) In a disturbing trend of violence against religious minorities in Bangladesh, a perpetrator vandalised seven idols at a Hindu temple located in Sarishabari upazila of Jamalpur district, according to local media reports on Sunday.

The incident took place on Saturday night at the Taryapara temple, representing the second attack within a week as Durga Puja, the most significant festival for Hindu minorities in Bangladesh, approaches.

Authorities confirmed the situation, with Sarishabari Police Station Officer-in-Charge Rashedul Hasan stating, "We responded promptly after receiving the alert. One suspect has been apprehended in connection to the incident."

The alleged vandal has been identified as Habibur Rahman, a 35-year-old from Shimlapalli village.

Reports indicate that the idols, specifically crafted for the upcoming Durga Puja celebrations, were shattered after the artisans departed on Saturday night. The accused managed to enter the temple and damage the heads and other parts of the idols.

On Sunday morning, members of the temple committee discovered the destruction and alerted the police, who reviewed CCTV footage that led to Habibur's arrest.

"Upon arrival on Sunday morning, coinciding with the day of Mahalaya, we were devastated to find the idols damaged. We immediately contacted the police, and the vandal was identified through the CCTV," quoted Goesh Chandra Barman, president of the temple committee, in a statement to The Daily Star.

This incident underscores a troubling escalation in violence, as attacks on Hindu temples and their communities have surged since the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government took office in August 2024.

Earlier this week, reports surfaced of vandalism at the Shwarupdah Palpara Sri Sri Rakhha Kali Temple in Mirpur upazila of Kushtia district, where miscreants not only damaged idols but also stole a security camera and memory card.

Amaresh Ghosh, the temple committee president, noted that the vandalism involved the destruction of the heads and hands of the Kartik and Saraswati idols.

"At the time of the incident, the area was experiencing power outages, and light rain was falling. Exploiting this situation, the idols were vandalised. Despite the daily security of the temporary tin-shed temple, the damage occurred during the load-shedding period," Ghosh remarked to The Business Standard.

"We have been preparing for Durga Puja here for the past three years. This incident, occurring just before the festival, has left us feeling apprehensive," expressed Badal Kumar Dey, a former secretary of the temple committee.

In a related note, last week, the Awami League condemned remarks made by the interim government's Home Advisor, Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, who disparaged Hinduism by labeling its rituals as "gatherings of liquor and drugs", just before the Durga Puja celebrations.

Since the removal of the democratically elected government led by Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has faced increasing violence and lawlessness.

The interim government continues to receive substantial criticism for allegedly sheltering radical Islamic groups.