In Photos: At a Dhaka Temple, Talk of Politics

The Dhakeswari National Temple in old Dhaka is a beloved spot for Hindus living in Bangladesh. The temple sees Hindu festivals including the prime attraction – the Durga Puja.

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In 2021, anti-minority violence during the Durga Puja led to a protest from India and a promise from then prime minister Sheikh Hasina to act against miscreants who vandalised various pandals.

Bangladesh’s population comprises nearly 8% Hindus. Differences in religion were always a political tool, rather than reflective of a fundamental difference, many across Bangladesh tell me.

Yar Hussain, a common citizen of Dhaka, for one, says that anti-Hindu sentiments are a disgrace became Bangladesh’s culture is very cohesive.

The temple committee has hung a placard in solidarity with those killed in the quota reform protests. Photo: Shome Basu/The Wire

Basudev Dhar is a septuagenarian and heads the apex body of all the Durga Pujas in the country. He too says the alleged attacks on Hindus are politically motivated. Hindus, he feels, are kept out of land deals and struggle to buy or sell property at just prices. Dhar adds that land grabbing is an old allegation against the Awami League and affects other minorities and some Muslims too.

While reports came in of Hindu households being attacked in the aftermath of Hasina fleeing to India, Dhar says that the Dhakeswari temple and nearby Hindu families were protected by some Jammat-e-Islami cadre.

Another Hindu community member who requested anonymity, said that the seeds of anti-Hindu sentiment were sown by the 1992 demolition of the Babri Masjid.

Jagganath Chanda. Photo: Shome Basu/ The Wire

The making of the Durga idol is in full swing at Dhakeswari. Last year’s idol is showcased and will be immersed on the day of ‘Mahalaya’, seven days before the main Durga Puja starts. This is practice unique to this temple as elsewhere, the idol is immersed on Dashami or Dussehra.

The premises are filled with the fragrance of incense. As night falls, the gate is locked by the priests and guards take over. Local police too keep a close watch.

Bangladesh historian Syed Aulad Hossain has cited the mention of the Dhakeswari temple in the Ain-e-Akbari.

Dhar in his book Dhakeswari Ateet O Bartaman (Dhakeswari, The Past and The Present) mentions that the temple had visits from Arakan and Mughal people during the reign of Sultan Hussain Shah, and later, Raja Maan Singh, Akbar’s general, also visited it.

Basudev Dhar. Photo: Shome Basu/The Wire

In 2015, one year after coming to power, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the temple. This is also the temple that Muhammad Yunus visited after taking charge of the interim government. Today, a team of Hindu visitors will meet Union home minister Amit Shah at New Delhi to speak of anti-minority grievances.

Alok and Ranu. Photo: Shome Basu/The Wire

Alok and Ranu came on a night bus from Sylhet to the temple. Alok says that most Hindus including his own family have been Awami supporters. Today he feels betrayed by Hasina feeling the country, leaving a large number of Awami supporters in danger.