Days after India raised concerns about widespread violence against Hindus and other religious minorities in Bangladesh, the interim government dismissed these claims, calling them "unwarranted" and "baseless."
Following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina's government in early August, Bangladesh has seen a cycle of violence targeting Hindus and other minority groups. Attacks have been reported on temples, public spaces associated with Hindus, and both ordinary citizens and public figures.
This wave of violence, which coincides with the resurgence of the extremist group Jamaat-e-Islami and caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed Yunus releasing convicted terrorists from prison, was also evident during the recent Durga Puja celebrations.
Men run past a shopping centre that was set on fire by protesters during a rally against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government in Bangladesh. AP
Last week, after India condemned the violence as "deplorable," Bangladesh rejected the statement, labeling it "uncalled for" and "without basis," according to a report by The Times of India.
In response, Bangladesh's Foreign Ministry pointed to the peaceful Durga Puja celebrations in over 32,000 mandaps as evidence of the nation's commitment to liberalism and democracy.
India's statement came following several incidents during the Durga Puja. In one instance, a crude bomb caused a fire at a mandap in Dhaka. In another, a handcrafted golden crown, gifted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was stolen from a Hindu temple in the Satkhira district.
During the festivities, the Dhaka Tribune reported that authorities had arrested at least 17 people and registered around a dozen cases in connection with approximately 35 incidents related to Durga Puja celebrations in Bangladesh. Inspector General Md Moinul Islam confirmed that these incidents led to the filing of 11 cases, 24 general diaries, and the arrest of 17 individuals.
Statement from Bangladesh Foreign Ministry
“Communal harmony and peaceful coexistence remain a time-honoured feature of liberalism and democracy in Bangladesh that unites all people. Government attests in strongest terms that every individual, regardless of his/her faith, religion or belief, has the right to establish, maintain or perform respective religious rituals or practices… This was vindicated by peaceful observance of Durga Puja in over 32,000 mandaps,” said the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry, as per the newspaper.
India’s statement
Following the incidents, India said, “These are deplorable events. They follow a systematic pattern of desecration and damage to temples and deities that we have witnessed over several days now.”
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