Authorities in Bangladesh razed a makeshift Durga temple in Dhaka as part of a demolition drive, triggering widespread outrage and condemnation from the Hindu community in the Muslim-majority country. The incident was denounced by India, saying the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government portrayed the incident as "illegal land use" and "extremists clamouring" for the structure's demolition.
The Khilkhet Durga Temple, which was allegedly built on railway land, was bulldozed on Thursday in the presence of a huge number of police and security personnel despite protests by Hindu community members.
As per reports, the temple was razed based on the order issued by the Deputy Commissioner and Divisional Estate Officer of Dhaka Division of Bangladesh Railway earlier this week.
Bulldozers arrived at the temple premises from the Purbachal Army Camp in Dhaka. Hindu women and men sat in front of the temple and protested, but they were removed by the Army personnel, following which the structure was razed.
The Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatani Jagran Jote, an umbrella body of various Hindu organisations in the country, called for a protest in Dhaka's Shahbagh area against the temple demolition on Friday.
"We are shocked by the vandalism. We are saddened and outraged by this disgusting communal behaviour of the state," it said in a statement.
In New Delhi, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal was critical of Bangladeshi authorities for the destruction of the Durga temple in Dhaka.
"We understand that extremists were clamoring for demolishing the Durga temple in Khilkhet, Dhaka," he said.
"The interim government, instead of providing security to the temple, projected the episode as illegal land use and they allowed the destruction of the temple today," he said.
"This resulted in damage to the deity before it was shifted. We are dismayed that such incidents continue to recur in Bangladesh," he added.
Jaiswal underlined it is the responsibility of the interim government of Bangladesh "to protect Hindus, their properties and religious institutions".
Relations between India and Bangadesh nosedived dramatically after the interim government headed by Muhammad Yunus failed to contain attacks on minorities, especially Hindus, in the neighbouring country since deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India on August 5 last year following anti-government protests.
Source: ANI