Ahead of Durga Puja, 16 Hindu idols vandalised in Bangladesh

There is no intention behind publishing the above picture to hurt anyone’s religious sentiments. This picture has been published for information. –editor

Dhaka (Bangladesh) – Idols of Hindu Deities were vandalised at ‘Rishipara Barwari Puja Mandap’ and ‘Manikadi Palpara Barwari Puja Mandap’ in Sujanagar Sub District of Pabna District, Bangladesh. 4 idols were broken in Rishipara mandap and 5 idols in Manikadi mandap. Due to this incident, there is an atmosphere of fear among the Hindus here. They have demanded that the Bangladeshi security agencies and local administration should intervene immediately. Notably, the Police did not arrive at the time of the incident despite repeated calls. Police and other security agencies reached after the incident.

In Bangladesh, Durga Puja Festival will be celebrated in 51 temples in Sujanagar Sub District; but due to this incident, there is an atmosphere of fear among Hindus. Sujanagar Sub District Executive Officer Mohammad Rashid Usman said that they are looking for the culprits so that legal action can be taken against them. A committee of locals has also been constituted for the security of each temple.

* Idols vandalised in Kishoreganj too

7 idols of Hindu Deities were vandalised at Gopinath Jiur Akhara Durga Puja Mandap in Kishoreganj, Dhaka Division. The incident took place when the security guards posted here were asleep. The Jihadis broke the wall and decapitated the idols. Hindus took out a protest march on the same day in protest. District Commissioner Fauzia Khan and Superintendent of Police Mohammad Hasan Chaudhary assured Hindus that the culprits would be arrested at the earliest.

District Puja Utsav Committee Chairman Narayan Dutta Pradeep said that Hindus are very sad because of this vandalism. At present there is an atmosphere of fear. If such incidents continue, how will we celebrate religious festivals ?

An urgent meeting was called in the District Magistrate’s office under the chairmanship of District Commissioner Fauzia Khan. Senior Police officers, army and Direct Action Force officials were present in it. In this meeting, Hindu leaders reiterated their demand to arrest the culprits.

Editorial Perspective

Even if someone accidentally throws a stone on a mosque in India, the Islamic countries of the world react; but when such incidents of violence are repeatedly happening to Bangladeshi Hindus, all are quiet.