The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) addressed concerns about the ‘increasing incidents of desecration and damage to Hindu temples and deities in Bangladesh ’. In Rajya Sabha, the MEA provided a written response to questions about the safety of religious sites and minorities in Bangladesh.
In its response, the MEA confirmed the occurrence of these incidents and expressed India’s deep concerns over the targeting of Hindu religious spaces in Bangladesh. The ministry emphasized that the Indian Government had raised formally these issues with the Bangladesh Government, requesting them to take immediate and decisive action to ensure the safety and security of Hindus, along with all other minority communities, and their places of worship.
“Several incidents of desecration and damages to Hindu temples and deities in Bangladesh have been reported in the past few months. The Government of India has expressed its concerns about such incidents, including the attack on a Puja mandap in Tantibazar, Dhaka and the theft at the Jeshoreshwari Kali temple at Satkhira during Durga Puja 2024,” said the MEA in its response. The MEA reaffirmed that the protection of life and liberty, including that of minority groups, is primarily the responsibility of the Government of Bangladesh. It further called on Bangladesh to take stronger measures to prevent such incidents in the future and ensure the peaceful coexistence of all its citizens.
It added, “The Government has also called upon the Government of Bangladesh to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities and their places of worship. The primary responsibility for the protection of life and liberty of all citizens of Bangladesh, including minorities, rests with the Government of Bangladesh”. The response comes following the Bangladesh government’s reaction to the concerns raised by India over the arrest of priest ‘Chinmoy Krishna Das’ and the safety of Hindus. The neighbouring country termed it a matter concerning “internal affairs” while saying that the arrest has been misconstrued by certain quarters. Das, was arrested from the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport area in Dhaka by Bangladesh Police.
“The Government of Bangladesh would like to reiterate that the country’s judiciary is fully independent and it does not interfere in the work of the judiciary. The matter under question is at present being dealt with by the court of law,” said the Bangladesh government in its statement.
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