Hindu temples destroyed in Bangladesh

In early August 2024, an ISKCON temple in Meherpur, situated in Bangladesh’s Khulna division, was attacked, vandalized, and set ablaze amidst ongoing unrest in the country following the resignation and departure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina[1].

This attack is part of a wider wave of violence targeting Hindu temples across Bangladesh. ISKCON spokesperson Yudhistir Govinda Das confirmed the incident, stating, “Based on the information I received, one of our rented ISKCON centers in Meherpur was burned, including the deities of Lord Jagannath, Baladev, and Subhadra Devi. Three devotees residing at the center managed to escape and survive.”

In late October, a series of targeted attacks took place, beginning with radical Islamists assaulting the 200-year-old Jagannath temple in Noakhali under the guise of responding to blasphemy. Merely a week later, the temple was targeted once more as part of the Jumma Namaz performed there on Friday. Following that Friday prayer, the Jagannath temple was vandalized, desecrated, and looted. According to reports from Ekattor TV, the attack was premeditated and carried out by a mob of 400-500 individuals.

For over five consecutive days after that, Hindu communities in Bangladesh, along with their homes and temples, were subjected to attacks by radical Islamist groups. These events began on October 12, when idols at various locations were defaced ahead of Durga Puja celebrations.

On Sunday, October 13, extremists desecrated the Durga idol at the Sri Shamshaneshwar Shiva Vigraha Mandir in Chittagong’s Firingibazar area. By October 14, reports emerged of multiple Puja pandals being destroyed. Videos shared on social media showcased idols of Maa Durga being smashed and thrown into ponds, alongside visuals of demolished pandals and further violence.

On October 16, a mob of 400-500 individuals attacked the ISKCON temple. The attacks escalated on October 17 and October 18, during which several Hindu homes were vandalized. Numerous injuries and fatalities were reported as a result of the violence.

On 29th November, (again a Friday), a violent Muslim mob attacked Hindu minorities and vandalized 3 temples in Patharghata in Chittagong district of Bangladesh after their Jumma Namaz.

According to a report[2] by BDNews24, the Hindu religious sites that were targeted by the Muslims included the Shantaneshwari Kalibari Temple, Shantaneshwari Matri Temple and the Shoni Temple.

The incident highlights growing tensions fueled by religious and political sensitivities in Bangladesh, with minority communities often bearing the brunt of such unrest.

In late September, the organization Insaf Keemkari Chhatra-Janta held a protest in Bangladesh, displaying placards in Bangla with messages such as: “No worship anywhere by closing roads, no pollution to water by idol immersion, no worship to idols.” The group opposes public Hindu festivals, including Durga Puja, citing their minimal representation in the country’s population—less than 2%. They argue that public holidays for Hindu events disrupt the lives of the Muslim majority and contend that such practices are unjustifiable in a predominantly Islamic society[3].

The organization further insists that Muslims should refrain from supporting or participating in Hindu festivals, citing religious prohibitions. They also link nationalistic sentiments to their demands, asserting that as India is considered an enemy state of Bangladesh, Hindu citizens must adopt anti-India positions. This includes advocating for anti-India banners and slogans to be displayed within Hindu temples.

These demands reflect growing communal tensions and underscore the challenges faced by Hindu minorities in Bangladesh. Critics argue that such rhetoric exacerbates religious polarization and undermines the pluralistic ethos essential for social harmony. The protests serve as a reminder of the struggles minority communities endure amid rising religious and political pressures in the region.

In addition to temple attacks, violence extended to cultural institutions. The Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre in Dhaka, a hub promoting cultural exchange between India and Bangladesh, was vandalized by a chaotic mob. The center suffered extensive damage during the unrest.

These incidents reflect a broader pattern of violence targeting religious and cultural sites, further deepening the challenges faced by minority communities in Bangladesh during periods of political turmoil.

[1] https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/bangladesh-unrest-iskcon-temple-vandalised-idols-burnt-hindu-temples-attacked-2577570-2024-08-06

[2] https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/ca00fb226307

[3] https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/no-durga-puja-holidays-no-idol-immersion-islamists-in-bangladesh-warn-hindus-2606912-2024-09-26