Bangladesh defended the demolition of the Durga temple in Dhaka's Khilkhet region, saying religious buildings may not be constructed on public property under any circumstances. The action has been condemned by the local Hindu community and has evoked critical reaction from India, which has called for Bangladesh to take steps to protect its Hindu minority and their places of worship.

In a statement on Friday, Bangladesh's Foreign Ministry stated that the Khilkhet temple had illegally been constructed on Bangladesh Railways land. The ministry asserted that the temple started as an interim pavilion, and efforts were made to turn it into a permanent building despite regular reminders against encroachment. “Bangladesh remains firmly committed to safeguarding the rights of all communities, including the protection of places of worship built in conformity with the law,” the ministry said, according to state-run BSS news agency. “However, it is not permissible to build any religious structure encroaching on public land under any circumstances.” Bangladesh Railway's Dhaka divisional estate officer, Md Nasir Uddin Mahmud, explained that the eviction was a part of an ongoing operation to clear all unauthorized buildings along the railway line at Khilkhet. He insisted that the temple did not have formal permission.

India Condemns Demolition, Says Minority Rights Need Protection

India's External Affairs Ministry reacted in concern over what it termed recurring attacks on minorities in Bangladesh. “We understand that extremists were clamouring for the demolition of the Durga temple in Khilkhet, Dhaka. Instead of providing security to the temple, the interim government projected the episode as illegal land use and allowed its destruction,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Thursday. Jaiswal further stated that it is the "responsibility of the interim government of Bangladesh to safeguard Hindus, their properties, and religious establishments."

ALSO READ: 'If Thousands Of Mosques Exist, Why Not One Temple?' Bangladesh Durga Temple Demolition Sparks Outrage

The destruction has caused massive protests in Dhaka, with images of debris from the Khilkhet Sarbojanin Shri Shri Durga Mandir and distraught devotees lamenting the loss of what they claim was their sole place of worship in the locality. One of the local women, while speaking to ANI, was quoted as saying, "I am speechless. My heart was torn apart, and my body burned. If thousands of mosques are present, why can't we have a temple?" She requested that the government allocate an alternative worship space, especially since Durga Puja is imminent. Prasenjit Chandra Das, a resident, said, "Each week, people used to come here to pray and offer prasada. It was only our temple. Even if the land is for the railways, destroying the idol along with the building is unacceptable."

As per local media, the demolition occurred just three days after a group of more than 500 people reportedly surrounded the temple and asked it to be taken down. Minority organizations contend that the temple committee had already been granted permission by the authorities to utilize the railway land for Durga Puja festivities, but were not served any formal notice before the eviction. Khilkhet Sarbojanin Shri Shri Durga Mandir’s secretary, Arjun Roy, told New Age, “They demolished everything today without giving us a prior notice. We are deeply disheartened.”

ALSO READ: India Slams Demolition Of Durga Temple In Bangladesh, Says Yunus Govt Failing To Protect Hindus, Their Properties

Minority Groups Condemn ‘Brutal’ Demolition

Rights groups, including the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council and the Minority Rights Movement, staged a human chain protest in Dhaka’s Shahbagh area on Friday. They criticised the government for failing to protect minority religious sites. "In protest of this, the  Sanatani society has mustered today. Such vandalism has badly hurt our sentiments," said Manindra Kumar Nath, Acting General Secretary of the Unity Council. "The government should take measures so that such things do not occur again," he added. Such events as the Khilkhet temple collapse have led to fears regarding the safety and security of Hindus in Bangladesh, who constitute a good 8% of the country's population. India has time and again asked the government of Bangladesh to safeguard minority rights and promote communal harmony.