New Delhi: Expressing anguish over the demolition of a Durga temple in Bangladesh’s Dhaka, India on Thursday claimed that the Muhammed Yunus-led interim government allowed the destruction of the temple while calling upon the neighbouring country to protect Hindus and religious institutions. The Durga temple, constructed on a railway land, was razed on Thursday, despite repeated protests from the Hindu community.
“We understand that extremists were clamouring for the demolition of the temple of Durga in Khilkhet, Dhaka. The interim government, instead of providing security to the temple, projected the episode as illegal land use and allowed the destruction of the temple today,” spokesperson of Indian Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal said at a press conference.
Reports say the temple was demolished following the orders of the Deputy Commissioner and Divisional Estate Officer of Dhaka Division of Bangladesh Railway earlier this week. Jaiswal said that such incidents continue to recur in Bangladesh.
India’s attack on Yunus’ govt
Following the demotion of Durga temple, the Indian government made a scathing attack on the Bangladesh authorities. Jaiswal said that the idol of the goddess was damaged before it was shifted during the destruction of the temple.
“The interim government, instead of providing security to the temple, projected the episode as illegal land use and they allowed the destruction of the temple today. This resulted in damage to the deity before it was shifted. We are dismayed that such incidents continue to recur in Bangladesh,” he further said.
When asked about the renewal of the Ganga Treaty with Bangladesh, Jaiswal said, “To discuss all relevant issues that form part of this cooperation, the two countries have a bilateral mechanism in place, which is the Joint Rivers Commission. We also have consultations of concerned state government in our internal consultations on such issues to frame our approach.”
India’s worsening ties with Bangladesh
Nobel Laureate Muhammed Yunus had emerged as the chief advisor of the interim government of Dhaka, after the collapse of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government on August 5, 2024. Since then, the relations between India and Bangladesh worsened subsequently. Last year, the Yunus government recorded at least 88 cases of attacks against the minorities in Bangladesh. Further investigations in January this year revealed that there are almost 1254 incidents of attacks against minorities in the country.
