Three Hindu Temples Attacked in Chattogram Amid Rising Violence Against Hindus in Bangladesh
On Friday, November 29, 2024, three Hindu temples in Chattogram, Bangladesh, were vandalized by an Islamic mob amidst escalating protests and violence following the detention of spiritual leader Sri Chinmoy Krishna Das, a respected member of the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). The charges against Sri Chinmoy Krishna Das, which the Hindu community has strongly denounced as baseless and illegal.
The attack occurred at approximately 2:30 p.m. in Harish Chandra Munsef Lane in the port city, targeting the Shantaneshwari Matri Temple, the Shoni Temple, and the Shantaneshwari Kalibari Temple. According to a report by BDNews24.com, an Islamic mob of several hundred individuals threw bricks at the temples, damaging the Shoni Temple and the gates of the other two temples.
Kotwali Police Station chief Abdul Karim confirmed the attack, stating that the assailants attempted to cause further destruction. Tapan Das, a permanent member of the Shantaneshwari Main Temple management committee, described the events: “A procession of hundreds of Muslims arrived after the Juma prayers. They started shouting anti-Hindu and anti-ISKCON slogans. We did not obstruct the attackers as all temple gates had been closed before noon. The Islamic mob arrived unprovoked and carried out the attack.”
The unrest began earlier in the week when Sri Chinmoy Krishna Das was detained on Monday and denied bail on Tuesday over false accusations concerning the alleged disrespect of Bangladesh’s national flag during a Hindu community rally. This detention has led to widespread protests by the Hindu community in Dhaka, Chattogram, and other locations, condemning the charges as an unjust targeting of Hindus.
KAILASA, the First Nation for Hindus, has expressed grave concern over the rising extremist rhetoric and increasing violence against Hindus in Bangladesh. In a statement, KAILASA called upon the Bangladeshi government to fulfill its responsibility to protect minorities, ensure the safety of spiritual leaders and devotees, and safeguard religious freedom.
KAILASA further demanded an immediate apology for the unwarranted detention of Sri Chinmoy Krishna Das and his unconditional release. It emphasized that the safety and dignity of spiritual leaders, along with the sanctity of Hindu temples, are paramount to upholding religious harmony in the region.
The global Hindu community continues to monitor the situation closely, urging international intervention to prevent further violence and ensure the safety of Hindus in Bangladesh.
#StopHinduPersecution #FreeChinmoyKrishnaDas #ProtectHinduTemples
