Temple Demolished In Dhaka, India Urges Bangladesh To Protect Hindus
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."
"This has resulted in damage to the deity before it was relocated. We are dismayed that such incidents continue to recur in Bangladesh. Let me underline that it is the responsibility of the interim government of Bangladesh to protect Hindus, their properties, and their religious institutions," Mr Jaiswal said.
India has repeatedly voiced concern about the targeting of minorities in Bangladesh under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus. Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised the issue with Mr Yunus during the meeting between the two leaders on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok.
Prime Minister Modi had also underlined India's concerns related to the safety and security of minorities in Bangladesh, including Hindus, and expressed his expectation that the Government of Bangladesh would ensure their security, including by thoroughly investigating the cases of atrocities committed against them, during the meeting with Muhammad Yunus.
The temple, which seems to be a makeshift structure, was demolished within days of demands from extremists to tear it down. The demolition occurred within three days of a mob demanding the temple's removal.
The demolition was carried out by authorities from Bangladesh Railway, assisted by police and military personnel, and visuals from the demolition site showed bulldozers bringing the structure down with the Durga idol still inside the structure. The officials are seen ignoring appeals from devotees to spare the temple.
The Bangladesh Railway authorities say the Khilkhet Sarbojanin Shri Shri Durga Mandir was demolished as it had been built illegally on railway land.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Gazette
15 minutes ago
- India Gazette
India-Trinidad Tobago sign six MoUs to boost cooperation
Port of Spain [Trinidad and Tobago] July 5 (ANI): India and Trinidad and Tobago have signed six agreements during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the Caribbean nation to strengthen bilateral cooperation in key areas, including infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, development projects, sports, education, cultural exchange programs and diplomatic training. The six Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed following delegation-level talks between PM Modi and his Trinidad and Tobago counterpart Kamla Persad-Bissessar in Port of Spain on Friday. The MoUs include an agreement on the Indian Pharmacopoeia, which aims to provide improved access to Indian pharmaceutical products in the Trinidad and Tobago market, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated in a statement. To strengthen the development corporation partnership between the two countries, an agreement was signed for an Indian grant to implement Quick Impact Projects (QIP). Agreements were also signed to strengthen cooperation in sports, diplomatic training and the re-establishment of two ICCR Chairs of Hindi and Indian Studies at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Trinidad and Tobago. An MoU on the Programme of Cultural Exchanges for the period 2025-2028 was also signed. Along with the MoUs, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also announced the extension of the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards facility up to 6th generation of Indian Diaspora members in Trinidad and Tobago, allowing them to live and work in India without restrictions. Earlier, this facility was available up to the 4th generation of Indian Diaspora members in the Caribbean nation. PM Modi also gifted 2000 laptops to school students in Trinidad and Tobago and announced formal handing over of agro-processing machinery (USD 1 million) to the National Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation (NAMDEVCO) and the holding of Artificial Limb Fitment Camp (poster-launch) in Trinidad and Tobago for 50 days for 800 people. The Indian Prime Minister further announced that under the 'Heal in India' program, specialised medical treatment will be offered to Trinidad and Tobago citizens. He also gifted twenty Hemodialysis Units and two Sea ambulances to the Caribbean nation to assist in the provision of healthcare. PM Modi announced the solarisation of the headquarters of T&T's Ministry of Foreign and Caricom Affairs by providing rooftop photovoltaic solar panels. Enhancing the cultural ties between both nations, PM Modi announced the celebration of Geeta Mahotsav at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Cultural Cooperation in Port of Spain, coinciding with the Geeta Mahotsav celebrations in India. Earlier, Trinidad and Tobago PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar said that the nation is honoured to adopt the Indian UPI system and collaborate on India stack tools such as Aadhaar and DigiLocker to modernise public services. 'Trinidad and Tobago is honoured to adopt the Indian UPI system and collaborate on India stack tools such as Aadhaar and DigiLocker to modernise public services. On behalf of the children of Trinidad and Tobago, I thank you for your gift of 2000 laptops.' 'We are in discussions with Indian companies to participate in various energy-related projects here in Trinidad and Tobago. We are proud to join India-led initiatives such as the Global Biofuels Alliance,' she added. After concluding his visit to Trinidad and Tobago, PM Modi embarked on his visit to Argentina for the 3rd leg of his five-nation tour. PM Modi is headed for Buenos Aires at the official invitation of the President of the Republic of Argentina, Javier Milei. He will hold bilateral talks with President Milei to review ongoing cooperation and discuss ways to enhance further the India-Argentina partnership in key areas, including defence, agriculture, mining, oil and gas, renewable energy, trade, investment, and people-to-people ties. (ANI)
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
RSS discusses role in crises, war-like drills
NEW DELHI: Rashtriya Swayam-sevak Sangh ( RSS ) Friday discussed the role its cadre could play in war-like situations and during preparedness drills such as civil defence exercises planned around Operation Sindoor . On the opening day of its three-day all-India Prant Pracharak meeting in Delhi, the Sangh also took up atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh and Bengal, exploring ways to raise these concerns with the govt and other forums. The meeting is reviewing organisational progress and finalising plans for centenary year celebrations from Oct 2. Participants reflected on RSS's history of stepping in during crises, including the 1962 war when swayamsevaks regulated traffic in Delhi and supplied relief at Nehru's request. About 233 functionaries, including heads of 32 affiliates, are attending. RSS will organise social harmony meetings, and outreach campaigns, said publicity chief Sunil Ambekar.
NDTV
4 hours ago
- NDTV
PM Modi Conferred With Trinidad And Tobago's Highest Civilian Honour
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Friday conferred with 'The Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago' - the country's highest civilian honour. Modi, who is on a two-day visit to the Caribbean island nation on the second leg of his five-nation tour, was bestowed the award in recognition of his global leadership, his deep engagement with the Indian diaspora, and his humanitarian efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic. "Honoured to be conferred with 'The Order of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago'. I accept it on behalf of 140 crore Indians," Modi said. The award was announced by Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar on Thursday, who described Modi's visit as a moment of shared pride and historical connection. This is Modi's first visit to the country as prime minister and the first Indian bilateral visit at the prime ministerial level to Trinidad and Tobago since 1999. Modi arrived here from Ghana, where he was conferred with 'The Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana', the country's national honour. The award was conferred on the prime minister in recognition of his "distinguished statesmanship and influential global leadership", the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.
