India slams Bangladesh over attacks on Hindu temple, calls it ‘systematic pattern of desecration’

India has expressed “serious concerns” about the attack on a Puja mandap in Dhaka’s Tanti Bazar, Bangladesh on Saturday (Oct 12) amid the ongoing Durga Puja festival. 

New Delhi also shared concerns over the theft at the revered Jeshoreshwari Kali temple at Satkhira, and called them “deplorable events”, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. 

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared a post on X, saying that these events follow a “systematic pattern of desecration” and damage to temples and deities. 

Jaiswal called upon the Bangladesh government to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities and their places of worship, especially during the festival time. 

This comes in the wake of incidents of theft and vandalism in Bangladesh, targeting Hindu religious sites, days before Durga Puja, a major Hindu festival. 

Earlier on Friday, a firebomb was thrown at a Durga Puja Mandap in the Tanti Bazar area of Old Dhaka, triggering panic among worshippers. 

Police have found the bomb made by filling a glass bottle with petrol, Bangladesh local newspaper Prothom Alo reported. 

The incident took place around 7:00 pm (local time) on Friday. According to locals, a group of youths from an alley beside the Puja mandap tossed a bottle aiming at the altar. When the volunteers ran after the attackers, they were attacked with knives.

Five people were reportedly injured in the incident. No casualties were reported. 

A hand-crafted golden crown gifted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was stolen from a Hindu temple in Bangladesh’s southwestern Satkhira district. 

Watch | India ‘Deeply Concerned’ Over Theft of Idol Crown Gifted by PM Modi in Bangladesh

At least 17 people have been arrested in connection with around 35 violent incidents related to Durga Puja celebrations this month, according to Bangladesh police. 

On Friday, MEA stated that India is deeply disturbed by the reported incident of theft of a religious article from a temple in Bangladesh. 

According to reports, India further urged Bangladesh’s law enforcement authorities to investigate the matter. 

(With inputs from agencies)