'Grave concerns': India slams Bangladesh over Durga temple demolition in Dhaka; slams Yunus govt of inaction
Addressing a press briefing, ministry of external affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "We understand that extremists were clamouring for the demolition of the Durga temple in Khilkhet, Dhaka. The interim government, instead of providing security to the temple, projected the episode as a case of illegal land use and allowed the destruction of the temple today."
— ians_india (@ians_india)
The MEA stated that the temple was demolished despite the possibility of protecting the premises, and that the deity itself was damaged before being relocated.
"This has resulted in damage to the deity before it was relocated. We are dismayed that such incidents continue to recur in Bangladesh," Jaiswal added.
India also reminded Bangladesh of its responsibility towards minority communities. "Let me underline that it is the responsibility of the interim government of Bangladesh to protect Hindus, their properties, and their religious institutions," said the MEA spokesperson.
The temple's demolition has sparked outrage among Hindu groups and rights activists, who see it as part of a recurring pattern of attacks on minority religious sites in Bangladesh
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
35 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Two-month ban imposed on HJV leader in Udupi district
Udupi Deputy Commissioner T.K. Swaroopa has banned Hindu Jagarana Vedike (HJV) leader, 43-year-old Satish Poojary of Davangere, from entering Udupi district from July 7 to September 7, following a report of Udupi Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar that Mr. Poojary is likely to make provocative speeches that could disturb harmony in the district. In the report to Ms. Swaroopa, the SP stated that Mr. Poojary is among the speakers who called for a series of protests by HJV in Karkala, Kundapura, and Udupi against what HJV claimed were anti-Hindu policies of the Congress government. Mr. Poojary will be speaking at the protest to be held near the office of the Udupi Deputy Commissioner in Manipal on July 7 at 4 p.m. There were reports that Mr. Poojary was likely to speak provocatively during the protest, which could lead to communal riots. Mr. Poojary, according to police, is a rowdy sheeter and is likely to be called for protests in Karkala and Kundapura in the coming days. He might be called to speak in public programmes related to Ganesh Chaturthi and Krishna Janmashtami, which can also disturb communal peace. In order to maintain law and order, Mr Shankar sought a two-month ban on Mr. Poojary from Udupi district. Mr. Shankar gave a list of 19 criminal cases registered against Mr. Poojary in police stations across the State. Ms. Swaroopa exercised the power vested with her under Section 163 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita to ban the entry of Mr. Poojary into the district.
United News of India
an hour ago
- United News of India
Condemning terrorism must be a matter of principle, and not just of convenience: PM Modi at BRICS
Rio de Janeiro/New Delhi, July 6 (UNI) Terming the Pahalgam terror attack as a direct assault on the soul, identity, and dignity of India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 17th BRICS Summit today thanked the friendly countries that stood with India and expressed support and condolences. In his statement at the BRICS session on Peace and Security at Rio de Janeiro, PM Modi said that condemning terrorism must be a matter of principle, and not of convenience, and there must be no hesitation in imposing sanctions on terrorists. The PM said: 'Terrorism is the most serious challenge facing humanity today. India recently endured a brutal and cowardly terrorist attack. The terrorist attack in Pahalgam on 22nd April was a direct assault on the soul, identity, and dignity of India. 'This attack was not just a blow to India but to the entire humanity. In this hour of grief and sorrow, I express my heartfelt gratitude to the friendly countries who stood with us and expressed support and condolences. 'Condemning terrorism must be a matter of principle, and not just of convenience. If our response depends on where or against whom the attack occurred, it shall be a betrayal of humanity itself,' he said. The PM also said: 'The victims and supporters of terrorism cannot be treated equally. For the sake of personal or political gain, giving silent consent to terrorism or supporting terrorists or terrorism, should never be acceptable under any circumstances.' Referring to the ongoing Middle East tensions and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the PM said that India firmly believes that no matter how difficult the circumstances, the path of peace is the only option for the good of humanity. He said that India is the land of Lord Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi, and there is no place for war and violence. 'India supports every effort that takes the world away from division and conflict and leads us towards dialogue, cooperation, and coordination; and increases solidarity and trust. In this direction, we are committed to cooperation and partnership with all friendly countries.' He invited all the member nations to India next year for the BRICS Summit to be held under India's chairmanship. In a post on X, the PM said: 'At the Session on 'Peace and Security and Reform of Global Governance' during the BRICS Summit, reiterated India's commitment to the values of peace and brotherhood. Afterall, world peace and security are the foundations of our shared interests and future. 'There must be absolutely no hesitation in imposing sanctions against terrorists. We cannot weigh victims of terrorism and its supporters on the same scale. Any silent support or approval to terrorism for personal or political interests must be unacceptable. 'India, being the land of Mahatma Gandhi and Gautam Buddha believes that no matter how difficult the circumstances are, the path of peace is the best option for the welfare of humanity. And, India will do everything possible in this direction.' The MEA spokesperson said in a post on X: 'PM @narendramodi delivered his address at the session on 'Peace & Security' during the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 'PM stated that terrorism was a grave threat to humanity and called upon BRICS to strengthen the global fight against the menace. 'Thanking countries for strongly condemning the Pahalgam terror attack and expressing solidarity for India, he urged zero tolerance for terrorism. 'He reaffirmed that India stands for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve conflicts and achieve global peace.' UNI RN
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Common goals: On India and a five-nation tour
On his way to Brazil to attend the ongoing BRICS summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made back-to-back bilateral visits to Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, and Argentina. Each stop was with a view to enhancing bilateral cooperation in fields which included some common themes on pharmaceuticals and vaccines, digital technology, food security and critical minerals. In Accra, India-Ghana ties were upgraded to a comprehensive partnership, with discussions on helping Ghana become a 'vaccine hub' for West Africa. In the Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, there was a major MoU on 'Indian pharmacopeia', to improve access to quality and affordable generic medicines from India. In Buenos Aires, President Javier Milei agreed to enhance cooperation on critical minerals as well as Argentina's vast reserves of shale gas and oil, while India pitched its pharma to Argentina. The three stops were in countries of the 'developing world' or the Global South, and the onward journey to Brazil, and then to Namibia, also highlight India's commitment to building alternative economic mechanisms to the 'developed world' or Global North. India's offer of cooperation for low-cost solutions to global challenges includes the promotion of India-led international organisations such as the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) to these countries. Mr. Modi also made his signature pitch to the Indian diaspora — his speech in the Port of Spain, where Indian labour was brought by British colonial ventures since 1845, is one to note. Referring to the Indian ancestry of President Christine Carla Kangaloo and Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Mr. Modi said that the 35 million Indian diaspora worldwide were India's 'pride'. It is also impossible to escape the deep connections between India and the five nations in terms of political history. Each country shares a bond — colonies that suffered under British, Spanish, Portuguese and German forces — and why some of them joined the Non-Aligned Movement. They have all, at various points, committed to building South-South cooperation, and India and Brazil's role in founding the BRIC mechanism, along with Russia and China, and IBSA with South Africa, was an outcome, strongly pitching the interests of the Global South. None of the countries on the tour can be called 'anti-West', and New Delhi has had some differences with them over specific conflicts (Ukraine and Gaza). The motivating force behind the ties, however, and consequently Mr. Modi's nine-day itinerary, is more about a common desire to look beyond the present global order to one that is more equal, representative, and sensitive to the needs of developing and under-developed nations.
