• Source:JND
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Bangladesh Hindu temple attack:   In yet another attack targeting Hindu religious institutions in Bangladesh, miscreants vandalised the Sri Sri Rakha Kali temple in Mirpur upazila of Kushtia district ahead of the upcoming Durga Puja festival. Idols of deities were damaged and the temple’s security system was destroyed, sparking fear among the local Hindu community.

What Happened In Mirpur?

According to local media reports, the incident took place late on Sunday night. The perpetrators took advantage of a power outage and light rainfall to carry out the attack.

• The idols of Kartik and Saraswati were desecrated, with their heads and hands broken.
• The temple’s CCTV camera was damaged and its memory card stolen.
• The temple, a temporary tin-shed structure, had daily guards, but the attack happened during the blackout.
• Local leaders of the Hindu community confirmed the incident has created panic just days before Durga Puja celebrations.

Temple committee president Amresh Ghosh told The Business Standard that the attackers struck when the area was dark due to load-shedding. “Even though the temple is guarded, the idols were destroyed during the blackout,” he said. Former secretary of the temple committee, Badal Kumar De,y added that Durga Puja had been organised there peacefully for the last three years. “This incident has left us in fear ahead of the festival,” he remarked.

Rising Attacks On Hindu Temples

Mominul Islam, officer-in-charge of Mirpur Police Station, confirmed the vandalism. He said police immediately reached the spot after receiving the information and an investigation has been launched. A detailed report will be released once inquiries are completed.

Graphic Warning: The following video contains disturbing scenes of murder. Viewer discretion is strongly advised.

The vandalism in Kushtia comes at a time when Bangladesh has seen a sharp rise in attacks against Hindu temples and religious institutions under the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government. In June, a temple in Dhaka’s Khilkhet area was demolished by authorities, triggering protests from devotees. Earlier, the Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities (HRCBM) reported incidents of idol damage in Dinajpur district, calling it a “deliberate attempt to intimidate Hindu minorities.”

India’s Rising Concern

Earlier, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has also expressed concern over the repeated targeting of temples in Bangladesh. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal last week criticised the demolition of the Durga temple in Dhaka, saying the interim government failed to protect minority religious rights and instead framed the issue as an illegal land dispute.

ALSO READ: Mob Threat, Bulldozers, Broken Idols: Bangladesh Justifies Durga Temple Demolition As India Raises Minority Rights Issue

The opposition Awami League has accused the interim administration of fostering an environment of anarchy and failing to protect minorities. The party alleged that officials responsible for law and order are themselves under attack while religious minorities remain unsafe.

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Durga Puja is the biggest religious festival for Bangladesh’s Hindu minority, celebrated with widespread devotion and community participation. The Mirpur incident has once again raised alarm over the safety of Hindu devotees in the country, with leaders warning of a climate of fear and insecurity.