Protests Erupt In Dhaka Over Arrest Of Hindu Man; Minority Leaders Claim Bid To Stop Ram Statue Construction

Tensions are rising again in Bangladesh after minority community leaders held a protest in Dhaka on Saturday against the arrest of a Hindu man. The demonstrators alleged that the case was filed to stop the construction of a proposed 81-foot-tall statue of Lord Ram in Gaibandha district.

Bangladesh Minorities Hold Protest

The protest was organised by the Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council outside the National Press Club in Dhaka. Leaders from the Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian communities participated and demanded the immediate release of Haridas Chandra Tarani Das. The protesters claimed that Das was arrested a few days ago on money laundering charges.

Minority Leaders Demand Immediate Release

They alleged that the case was filed to prevent the construction of the proposed Lord Ram statue in Palashbari, Gaibandha district. Speaking to ANI, Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council General Secretary Manindra Kumar Nath strongly criticised the arrest. He said the organisation could not accept the detention of Tarani Das over claims linked to the construction of the statue.

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He said, "Today, Bangladesh Hindu Buddha Krishnalok Tabarishad organised a demonstration against the arrest of Haridas Chandra Tarani Das. Haridas Chandra Tarani Das was arrested by the government some two or three days ago over the claim that he built a Ram Chandra Devata, Ram Chandra statue in Palashbari. In that case, we cannot accept this sort of arrest of Taroni Das.”

Manindra Kumar Nath Criticises Arrest

Nath also alleged that the arrest reflects a wider pattern of violence and legal action against religious minorities in Bangladesh. He claimed that around 3,000 incidents targeting minorities were reported across the country last year, including the killing of 66 people and attacks on several temples.

According to the protest organisers, law enforcement agencies arrested Das, and a local court later sent him to judicial custody. They alleged that the money laundering case was intended to stop the proposed statue project. The arrest came a few weeks after members of the Hindu community protested over the alleged disrespect of an image of Lord Ram during a demonstration in the same district.

Warning Of Larger Movement

Addressing the gathering, Senior Unity Council leader Subrata Chowdhury questioned the circumstances surrounding the incident. He urged Bangladesh's interim administration to identify those responsible and take appropriate action. Chowdhury also demanded the immediate release of Das. He warned that if those responsible for insulting his religion were not dealt with under the law, the organisation would launch a larger protest movement across Bangladesh.

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