New Delhi: India has expressed disappointment over the Bangladesh Muhammad Yunus-led interim government's decision to permit the demolition of a makeshift Durga Temple in Khilkhet, Dhaka. Instead of protecting the temple, the government portrayed the situation as illegal land use and permitted its destruction.
During a weekly media briefing in New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the action caused damage to the deity before it was relocated.
When asked about temple destruction in Bangladesh, he stated, "We understand that extremists were clamouring for demolishing the Durga temple in Khilkhet, Dhaka. " Instead of securing the temple, the interim administration portrayed the incident as unlawful land use permitting and condoned the temple's demolition today.
This caused harm to the deity before it was moved. We are disappointed that such events continue to happen in Bangladesh. He emphasized that it is the responsibility of Bangladesh's interim government to safeguard Hindus, their belongings, and religious temples.
On Thursday, Bangladesh Railway officials dismantled a temporary Durga Temple built on their property in Dhaka's Khilkhet. The temple was wrecked three days after a mob requested that it be removed. The Bangladesh Railway authorities stated that they destroyed Khilkhet Sarbojanin Shri Shri Durga Mandir because it was built illegally on railway property.
Several minority groups have criticized the authorities' choice, claiming that officials destroyed the temple without first notifying neighborhood residents.
According to members of the temple committee, a mob of over 500 individuals armed with sticks occupied the temple while worshippers remained inside during Monday's local time of approximately 9 pm, the Bangladesh-based newspaper New Age reported. They claimed that the railway authorities demolished the temple but left all other buildings untouched.
Speaking to New Age, committee secretary Arjun Roy said they sought permission from railway authorities last year to celebrate Durga Puja there and use the location for their worship temporarily.
He went on to say, "But the officials tore down everything today without giving us any notice. " We are extremely saddened by the event.
According to Md Nasir Uddin Mahmud, Bangladesh Railway's Dhaka divisional estate officer, the temple's demolition and other unlawful structures commenced around 10 a. m. (local time). According to him, several businesses were built illegally on the railway's property, and they became aware of the makeshift temple on Monday.
Md Nasir Uddin Mahmud stated that the temple committee failed to obtain authorization from the authorities, according to New Age. The Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad, the Mahanagor Sarbojanin Puja Committee, and the Minority Rights Movement all issued statements condemning the mob attack and the temple's destruction.
