A Durga temple in Bangladesh’s Narayanganj was allegedly vandalised, while a 65-year-old Hindu man was found murdered in Jashore. Police detained two company officials for questioning as concerns grow over reported attacks on Hindu religious sites and minority communities.
Concerns over the safety of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh have intensified following two disturbing incidents involving the alleged vandalism of a Durga temple in Narayanganj and the recovery of a Hindu man’s body from a river in Jashore district.
In the first incident, a goddess Durga temple located inside the premises of Laxminarayan Cotton Mill in the Siddhirganj area of Narayanganj was allegedly vandalised, according to local media reports. Knit Concern Group, a ready-made garment manufacturing company, has been accused of obstructing access to the temple and damaging its decorations and pandal.
Following the incident, police reportedly took Knit Concern Group director Monir Hossain Mollah and Ibrahim, the company’s security department in-charge, into custody on Wednesday evening for questioning.
According to the Dhaka Tribune, Narayanganj Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime) Tarek Al Mehedi confirmed that authorities were examining the dispute involving the temple committee and the company over the land. He said police were looking into both the land-related complications and the complaints regarding vandalism and obstruction of access to the religious site.
Tarun Lal Begi, General Secretary of the Laxminarayan Cotton Mills Durga Temple Committee, alleged that the temple’s existing gate lock was removed on Tuesday evening and replaced with another lock, preventing devotees and visitors from entering the premises.
He further claimed that members of the Knit Concern Group acted against the administration’s instructions. According to his allegations, the company’s director, Monir Hossain Mollah, and his associates were involved in damaging the temple’s decorations and pandal. Police are investigating the complaints.
In a separate incident, a 65-year-old Hindu man, identified as Ranjan Mondal, was found dead after his body was reportedly discovered inside a sack and dumped in the Mukteshwari River in Bangladesh’s Jashore district.
Mondal, who owned a fish farm, was found near Helarghat in the Mashiahati area of Monirampur upazila on November 7. His death has raised further concerns among members of the local Hindu community.
According to reports, his wife, Beauty Mondal, said that her husband had left home on the afternoon of November 6 but failed to return. The following morning, police informed her that his body had been recovered. She also claimed that injury marks were visible on his neck and other parts of his body.
Assistant Superintendent of Police of Monirampur, Imdadul Haque, said police recovered the body after receiving information about it. The body was subsequently sent to Jashore 250-bed General Hospital for a post-mortem examination, Dhaka Stream reported.
These incidents come after another reported attack on the Hindu community last month, when 43-year-old Rabendra Rishi was allegedly stabbed to death. In a separate incident, three houses belonging to Hindu families were reportedly vandalised and looted.
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The latest developments have renewed concerns over the security of religious minorities, particularly Hindus, in Bangladesh. Reports of attacks on religious institutions, homes and individuals have continued to draw attention to the challenges faced by minority communities.
Authorities are expected to investigate the latest incidents and establish responsibility for the alleged crimes. The incidents have also intensified calls for stronger protection of religious sites and the safety of minority communities across Bangladesh.
