India Condemns Theft at Bangladesh Temple

In Shorts:

India condemns the theft of Goddess Kali’s crown from the Jeshoreshwari Kali temple in Bangladesh.
The theft follows a systematic pattern of attacks on Hindu worship places and minorities in Bangladesh.
India urges Bangladesh to ensure the safety of minorities and their places of worship.

Full News Story: India has strongly condemned the theft of a crown from the revered Jeshoreshwari Kali temple in Bangladesh. This crown, made of silver and gold, was gifted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Bangladesh in March 2021. The theft occurred during the ongoing Durga Puja festivities, and the incident was captured on camera.

In a stern statement, India’s Ministry of External Affairs expressed grave concern over the incident. “We are seriously concerned about the attack on a Puja mandap in Tantibazar, Dhaka, and the theft at the Jeshoreshwari Kali temple in Satkhira. These deplorable incidents follow a systematic pattern of desecration of temples and deities that we have observed in recent days,” the statement read.

India has called on the Bangladesh government to ensure the security of Hindus and other minorities, especially during the ongoing festival season.

The Jeshoreshwari Temple is regarded as one of the 51 Shakti Peethas, sacred sites scattered across India and neighboring countries.

The Ministry’s statement also highlighted another incident in Dhaka’s Tantibazar, where a petrol bomb was thrown at a Durga Puja mandap, injuring at least 20 people.

The minority Hindu community in Bangladesh, which constitutes around 8% of the 170 million population, has been facing a wave of attacks. Hindu businesses, properties, and temples were vandalized during the violent protests that erupted following the removal of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from power on August 5.

Before the Durga Puja celebrations began, Hindu groups received threats from Islamist factions warning them against celebrating the festival publicly, claiming it would hurt the sentiments of the Muslim majority.

Since October 1, there have been 35 incidents related to Durga Puja celebrations across the country, leading to 11 cases being registered, 24 general diaries (GDs) filed, and 17 people arrested, according to Bangladesh Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Moinul Islam.