In a disturbing act of vandalism, miscreants have defaced eight Hindu idols across three temples in Bangladesh, igniting further concern over the growing violence against the country’s minority Hindu community. According to reports from PTI, five idols were destroyed in Dinajpur, while three idols in two temples were vandalised in Mymensingh earlier this week.
In Mymensingh’s Haluaghat sub-district, two idols at the Bonderpara Temple in Shakuai Union were damaged, while another idol was destroyed at the Polashkanda Kali Temple in Beeldora Union. Police arrested two individuals in connection to the incidents. Azharul, 37, was detained for vandalising the idols at Bonderpara Temple, and a 27-year-old man, Alal Uddin, was arrested for the damage at Polashkanda Kali Temple. Both were later presented in court, where Uddin confessed to the crime.
Meanwhile, in Dinajpur’s Birganj sub-district, five idols were destroyed at the Jharbari Shashan Kali Temple. The incident, which came to light two days later, has shocked the local community. Temple committee president Janardan Roy expressed disbelief at the act, which is unprecedented in the area.
This wave of vandalism is part of a troubling pattern of attacks on the Hindu community in Bangladesh. Last week, four individuals were arrested for their involvement in the destruction of Hindu temples and businesses in Sunamganj district. The Ministry of External Affairs in India recently revealed that more than 2,200 cases of violence against Hindus and other minorities were reported in Bangladesh as of December 2024.
India has expressed serious concern over these incidents, urging the Bangladesh government to take stronger measures to protect its minority communities. The government has emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety and welfare of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh.
