India has called on Bangladesh to protect Hindus after a spate of temple attacks during the Durga Puja festival. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) termed the incidents as a ‘systematic pattern of desecration’ urged Bangladesh to safeguard Hindus/ other minorities and their places of worship.
The call for action follows grim incidents such as a fire bombing of a temple in Tantibazar area of Dhaka that led to the evacuation of worshippers, and theft of crown from Jeshoreshwari Kali temple in Satkhira. This crown which is made of silver and gold plated, was gifted by the current Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi was stated to have been stolen when the priest went home.
The MEA statement issued a press release saying that it has taken cognisance of these travesties seriously as these acts are consistent with the hate crimes against Hindu religious places. The ministry specifically ruled out the attack on Puja mandap in Dhaka and the theft of Jeshoreshwari temple.
Bangladeshi authorities said 35 acts of violence during celebrations of the Durga Puja festival this month were linked to 17 arrests. While these attacks continue the Hindu community of Bangladesh, which is approximately 8% of 170 million population of the country, is progressively becoming a worried lot.
The United States has also expressed worry with State Department spokesman Matthew Miller stating that “We want the rights of the minority to be protected in Bangladesh especially at festive times like Durga Puja.”
