Minorities Under Threat In Bangladesh: Three Hindu Temples Targeted, Eight Idols Vandalised

Over the past week, eight idols were vandalised in three Hindu temples situated in Mymensingh and Dinajpur districts of Bangladesh.

In Mymensingh’s Haluaghat sub-district, idols at Bonderpara Temple in Shakuai union and Polashkanda Kali Temple in Beeldora union were damaged on Thursday and Friday.

According to Abul Khayer, officer-in-charge of Haluaghat Police Station, vandals damaged two idols at Bonderpara Temple in Shakuai union early Friday, as confirmed by temple authorities and residents, Bangladeshi newspaper Daily Star reported.

The incident remains under investigation with no arrests or formal complaints registered.

Separately, at Polashkanda Kali Temple in Beeldora union, vandals damaged an idol early Thursday.

Police arrested 27-year-old local resident Alal Uddin, who confessed to the crime during interrogation.

He has since been presented in a Mymensingh court and was remanded to custody.

On Thursday, Suvash Chandra Sarker, the chairman of the Polashkanda Kali Temple committee, lodged a complaint against unidentified individuals.

In Dinajpur's Birganj sub-district, vandals damaged five idols at Jharbari Shashan Kali Temple on Tuesday, with the incident discovered on Thursday.

"We've never seen such an act here," Janardan Roy, president of the temple committee, was quoted as saying.

These acts of vandalism come in the wake of recent arrests of four individuals for attacking Hindu properties in Sunamganj district, as well as the vandalism of three temples in Chattogram on 29 November.

Tensions between India and Bangladesh have escalated since the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus took charge following Sheikh Hasina's departure on 5 August amid student protests.

Relations further deteriorated after the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, a former Iskcon Bangladesh member.

The Bangladeshi government has reported 88 incidents of violence against minorities, predominantly Hindus, since Sheikh Hasina stepped down.

The surge in violence against minorities has heightened diplomatic strains between India and Bangladesh.

During meetings with Bangladeshi officials in Dhaka earlier this month, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri voiced concerns over the safety of minorities.

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