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What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
A shocking act of desecration has once again unsettled Bangladesh’s Hindu community. On Wednesday afternoon, around 4 PM, several Murtis of Goddess Durga were found vandalized at the Kashimpur cremation temple in Gazipur Metropolitan. The Murtis, which were being prepared for the upcoming Durga Puja, lay in ruins as broken limbs, shattered ornaments, and pieces of sacred sculptures were scattered across the temple premises. What was supposed to be a place of devotion and preparation for the largest Hindu festival in the region quickly turned into a scene of devastation and grief.
Eyewitnesses reported that 5–6 Murtis suffered severe damage, with the hands of the goddess and the ears of the vahana horse brutally smashed. Local priests and worshippers who arrived shortly after the incident were left speechless, unable to find words to express their anguish. For many, the destruction was not only an assault on a religious symbol but also a deliberate attempt to humiliate and terrorize the Hindu population ahead of their most significant festival.
The local Hindu community reacted with outrage and despair, declaring that such incidents prove that Hindus remain unsafe in Bangladesh. Many residents stated that this was not an isolated event, but rather part of a growing pattern of attacks targeting Hindu temples, Murtis, and festivals across the country. Hindu Community leaders strongly condemned the act, calling it a calculated effort to erase Hindu culture and identity. “This is not just about broken Murtis,” one devotee said, “this is about breaking our spirit. The existence of Hindus in this land is under threat, and the world must take notice.”
Law enforcement officials have confirmed the incident. Officer-in-Charge Moniruzzaman of Kashimpur police station stated that his team had inspected the site and launched an investigation to identify those responsible. He promised that action would be taken and perpetrators brought to justice. However, skepticism runs deep within the community. Many Hindus recall similar attacks in recent years where investigations were either delayed or quietly abandoned, allowing those behind the crimes to escape accountability. This repeated cycle has only deepened the sense of insecurity and mistrust.
In the days leading up to Durga Puja, the destruction of Murtis has left worshippers in fear of further attacks. Organizers say they are struggling to continue preparations for the festival, unsure if their temples and puja mandaps will be protected. Rights groups and civil society activists have raised urgent appeals to the government, demanding increased security at religious sites and stronger laws to punish those responsible for communal violence. They warn that failure to act decisively will only embolden extremists and destabilize the fragile fabric of interfaith harmony in the country.
The incident has also drawn international condemnation. The Hindu American Foundation (HAF), a Washington-based advocacy group, issued a strong statement calling the attack “a blatant violation of religious freedom and human dignity.” They urged the Bangladeshi government to uphold its constitutional duty to protect minorities, while also appealing to the international community to monitor the situation closely. Similarly, Human Rights Watch South Asia expressed concern, noting that recurring attacks on Hindu temples and idols “highlight the vulnerability of religious minorities in Bangladesh and the urgent need for stronger state protection.” Diaspora organizations across India, the United States, and Europe have also raised their voices. The Global Hindu Forum described the vandalism as part of “a systematic effort to erase Hindu heritage in Bangladesh,” while urging the United Nations to take note of the worsening conditions faced by minorities in the region. On social media, hashtags such as #SaveBangladeshiHindus and #JusticeForHinduTemples began trending within hours, as thousands of users expressed solidarity with the victims and demanded accountability.
Historical Context of Attacks on Hindu Temples in Bangladesh
Attacks on Hindu temples and idols during Durga Puja are not new in Bangladesh. In October 2021, violence erupted in several districts including Cumilla, Noakhali, and Rangpur after a social media rumor sparked communal unrest. Dozens of temples were vandalized, homes of Hindu families were burned, and at least seven people lost their lives in the wave of violence. Despite widespread condemnation, few of the culprits were brought to justice, fueling fears of impunity.
In subsequent years, reports of temple vandalism have continued, especially around the time of Hindu festivals. Local rights groups have documented cases of idols being smashed in Khulna, Barishal, and Chattogram during Durga Puja in 2022 and 2023. In many of these cases, the perpetrators remained unidentified or were released without trial, deepening the sense of insecurity among the Hindu community.
Statistical Evidence of Decline
The Hindu population of Bangladesh has been shrinking dramatically over the decades. In 1947, Hindus made up nearly 29.7% of the population of what was then East Bengal. By 1971, at the time of Bangladesh’s independence, the proportion had fallen to about 19.5%. Today, estimates place the Hindu population at less than 9%, a historic low. Rights groups claim that a mix of targeted violence, social discrimination, land grabbing, and forced migration has contributed to this steady decline.
According to the Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council, more than 3,600 attacks on Hindu temples and properties were reported between 2013 and 2022. These included arson attacks, desecration of idols, and looting of homes and businesses. The actual figure is believed to be higher, as many cases go unreported due to fear of retaliation or lack of trust in law enforcement.
Studies by Dhaka University researchers suggest that each year, thousands of Hindus leave Bangladesh permanently due to insecurity and systemic marginalization. Advocacy groups estimate that since 1971, over 11 million Hindus have fled Bangladesh, primarily to India, in search of safety.
This latest act of vandalism in Gazipur is therefore not an isolated case, but part of a long and troubling pattern of communal violence that continues to haunt Bangladesh’s religious minorities. For Hindus, the repeated desecration of idols—symbols of their faith and cultural heritage—is a painful reminder of their fragile existence in a land where they have lived for centuries. Unless decisive measures are taken to hold perpetrators accountable and guarantee protection for minority communities, the fear remains that the slow erosion of Hindu cultural and spiritual life in Bangladesh will continue unchecked, pushing the community further toward the edge of extinction.
