‘Systematic pattern’: India expresses concern over Bangladesh puja attack, theft
MEA calls upon Bangladesh government to ensure safety and security of Hindus and all minorities and their places of worship during festive season
The Ministry of External Affairs has expressed “serious concern” over the attack on a Durga Puja mandap in Tantibazar, Dhaka, and the theft of a gold-plated silver crown presented by the Indian government to the Jeshoreshwari Kali temple at Satkhira.
“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 statement read.
“We call upon 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,” it added.
What happened in Dhaka
While the Dhaka incident took place on Friday (October 11) night, the theft in Satkhira happened the day before.
According to Bangladeshi media reports, around 7 pm on Friday, a petrol bomb was hurled at a Durga Puja pandal in Old Dhaka’s Tanti Bazar. Police later reportedly recovered the “bomb” that was essentially a glass bottle filled with petrol.
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The “bomb” did not explode, and only caught fire slightly. However, when those in the pandal chased the attackers, they were allegedly stabbed with knives and five of them were injured.
Adviser AF Hassan Ariff later told the media that security had been tightened at all puja mandaps, with the army also being deployed at pandals along with law-enforcement agencies.
Police have arrested three in connection with the incident.
The theft in Satkhira
In the other incident, the crown, made of silver and plated with gold, was stolen around 2 pm on Thursday (October 10).
It was gifted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Jeshoreshwari Kali Temple in Satkhira during his visit in March 2021.
The temple is revered as one of the 51 ‘Shakti peethas’ in Hindu mythology.
According to Bangladeshi newspaper The Daily Star, CCTV footage from inside the temple has showed a man decamping with the crown after taking it off the deity’s head.
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Expressing concern over the theft, the Indian embassy in Bangladesh urged the government in that country to recover the gift and take appropriate action against the perpetrators.
“We express concern & urge Govt of Bangladesh to investigate theft, recover the crown & take action against the perpetrators,” the Indian Embassy posted on X.
