Massive protests have erupted across Bangladesh's Dhaka over the alleged desecration of a picture of Lord Ram by radical Islamists opposing the construction of the tallest statue of the deity in Rangpur. With the construction now halted, thousands of Hindus in Bangladesh held a torchlight procession in Dhaka and raised 'Jai Shri Ram' chants on Friday, demanding the arrest of those behind the alleged desecration.
The fresh tensions in Bangladesh come days after the construction of an 81-foot-tall statue of Lord Ram in Palashbari in northern Gaibandha district was put on hold. The Sri Sri Radha Govinda Temple committee, which is behind the project, claimed the authorities received threats from Islamist groups. The incident has again brought to the forefront concerns over minority rights in Muslim-majority Bangladesh.
While a case has been filed, no arrests have been made so far. On Friday, several Hindu organisations and students gathered at the key Shahbagh intersection and marched to the National Press Club. The protest call was given by the Hindu Mahajot. The outfit also organised a human chain in front of the National Press Club. Another section staged a protest near the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) building.
In Rangpur, there was a minor scuffle after the police stopped Hindus from holding a demonstration.
The protesters claimed that an Islamist mob desecrated an image of Lord Ram by placing a shoe on it during a demonstration in Gaibandha earlier this month.
Accusing the Tarique Rahman-led BNP government of inaction, the protesters issued a 72-hour ultimatum demanding the arrest of those involved. If not met, the Hindu community warned of further rallies and protests. A memorandum will also be submitted to the Ministry of Religious Affairs on Saturday.
Separately, the Hindu Mahajot asserted that if the construction of the Lord Ram statue was not allowed to resume, they would build a Ram temple one by one in all the 64 districts of Bangladesh.
The protests are likely to continue on Saturday, with the National Committee for Puja Celebrations announcing a nationwide agitation.
The statue of Lord Ram was being built as part of a temple complex at Palashbari. Almost 80% of the work has been completed.
The proposed project, estimated to cost around 22 crore Bangladesh taka (around Rs 15.6 crore), also includes a 50-foot statue of Lord Krishna and a 30-foot statue of Lord Shiva.
Haridas Chandra Das, president of the Sri Sri Radha Govinda Temple committee, said the work was stopped after Islamist groups issued threats against those involved in the project. A radical Islamic preacher even threatened to demolish the statue with a bulldozer.
"We are scared, and in fear and out of fear, we have kept the work suspended," Das told the media. He also appealed to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to intervene. Das said the statue was being built as a tribute to one of the central figures of Sanatan Dharma.
In a statement, temple committee adviser Shyamlal Kumar Mahanta said the decision to halt work was taken to "preserve social harmony".
"We are stopping this work to maintain law and order and communal harmony. We do not want to become the cause of any dispute, nor do we wish to hurt anyone's religious sentiments," the committee stated.
Hindus are the largest religious minority in Bangladesh, making up around 8% of the country's population. The development comes at a time when targeting of Hindus is seeing an uptick after the crisis seen during the previous Muhammad Yunus regime.
Rahman, who took charge in February, has repeatedly asserted that everyone in Bangladesh has the right to practice their religion. In his first national address as PM, Rahman boldly declared that religion was for individuals, but the country "belongs to all".
However, around 133 incidents of communal violence have been recorded between January 1 and March 31 this year.
Source: India Today