New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Saturday (October 12) noted with “serious concern” the recent spate of attacks on and desecration of Hindu temples in Bangladesh. In a statement, the MEA said that the events were “deplorable”.
“These are deplorable events. They follow a systematic pattern of desecration and damage to temples and deities that we have witnessed over several days now,” the MEA’s statement on October 12 said.
It also called on the government of Bangladesh to “ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities and their places of worship, especially during this auspicious festival time”.
The ongoing festival of Durga puja, also celebrated as navratri and Dussehra in some parts, is celebrated by Hindus across the world through fasts, pujas and other religious practices.
The MEA’s statement comes after reports of a gold crown, gifted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, being stolen from the Jeshoreshwari Kali temple in Bangladesh’s Satkhira district on October 10. Official sources at the MEA had said that India was “deeply disturbed” by the incident.
“We have seen reports of theft of the crown gifted by PM Modi to Jeshoreshwari Kali Temple (Satkhira) in 2021 during his visit to [Bangladesh]. We express deep concern & urge Govt of Bangladesh to investigate theft, recover the crown & take action against the perpetrators,” the official Twitter account of the High Commission of India in Bangladesh had posted on October 11.
The Dhaka Tribune also reported that some people allegedly threw a cocktail bomb at a pandal in Tanti Bazar in Dhaka on Friday. At least 17 people have also been arrested and about a dozen cases registered after Bangladesh witnessed around 35 “untoward incidents” this month, The Hindu quoted police in Dhaka as saying.
A.F. Hassan Ariff, adviser to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development, Cooperatives, and the Ministry of Land said that after the attack on the mantap at Tantibazar, security has been tightened, per the Dhaka Tribune.
“In addition to the law enforcement agencies, the army has also been deployed at the pandals. So, there is no need for fear—celebrate the festival without worry,” the Dhaka Tribune quoted Ariff as saying.
