Bula Devi reports from New Delhi
New Delhi Oct 12:– India on Saturday called upon the interim government in Bangladesh to ensure the “safety and security” of Hindus and all minorities and their places of worship, especially during the ongoing festive season. New Delhi termed the frequent attacks on religious places as a “systematic pattern” to damage temples and deities.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) today expressed “serious concern” and termed as “deplorable” the attack on a Puja mandap at Tantibazar in Dhaka and the theft of the gold crown of the idol Kali at the Jeshoreshwari Kali temple in Satkhira.
“We have noted with serious concern the attack on a Puja mandap in Tantibazar, Dhaka and the theft at the revered Jeshoreshwari Kali temple at Satkhira,” the MEA said in a statement.
“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.
“We call upon the Government of Bangladesh to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities and their places of worship, especially during this auspicious festival time,” stated the ministry’s press statement.
In the past, whenever there were reports of attacks on minorities or their places of worship vandalised, India raised the issue. The incidents have become more frequent after the overthrow of prime minister Sheikh Hasina in August.
“The two leaders expressed their shared concern over the situation in Bangladesh. They emphasised restoration of law and order and ensuring safety and security of the minorities, particularly Hindus, in Bangladesh,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a press release on August 26 referring to the telephonic conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and USA President Joseph R Biden.
This was the first such conversation between the two leaders since the protests in Bangladesh forced Sheikh Hasina to resign as Prime Minister, flee from her soil and arrive in Delhi to stay.
On Friday night, a firebomb was thrown at a temple in Dhaka’s Tantibazar area, sparking panic among worshippers. Although there were no casualties, some people got injured in the chaos that ensued.
On Thursday, the crown of idol Kali, gifted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was stolen from the Jeshoreshwari Kali Mandir in Shyamnagar, Satkhira. Modi had gifted the gold crown to the temple during his visit to Bangladesh on March 27, 2021.
A case has been filed against unknown individuals for the theft, according to local reports. No arrests have been made so far. The local authorities have begun a hunt for the culprit. The theft has occurred from one of the 51 ‘shakti peeths’ of Hinduism found across South Asia.
The Indian High Commission in Dhaka had earlier expressed “deep concern” and urged the local authorities to investigate the case and take action against the perpetrators.
In its India in Bangladesh X handle @ihcdhaka, the High Commission on October 11 posted: “We have seen reports of theft of the crown gifted by PM Modi to Jeshoreshwari Kali Temple (Satkhira) in 2021 during his visit to 
“We express deep concern & urge Govt of Bangladesh to investigate theft, recover the crown & take action against the perpetrators”.
According to a local newspaper, Dhaka Tribune, the theft took place between 2.47 pm and 2.50 pm on Thursday. CCTV footage captured a young man stealing the crown from the temple.
Reports from Bangladesh stated that the temple priest as well as cleaning staff were interrogated by the police. Senior police officials and other enforcement officials visited the site.
The police have also appealed to the public to report any suspicious activity related to the crown theft, for instance, if there is any attempt to sell, melt or design the stolen item. Phone numbers of senior officials have also been circulated for the public to tip off the authorities.
The visit to Bangladesh on March 26-27, 2021 was Prime Minister Modi’s first visit abroad after the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020.
He embarked on the trip at the invitation of the then prime minister Sheikh Hasina. The visit commemorated three special events including the birth centenary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, 50 years of the two countries establishing diplomatic ties and 50 years of the liberation of Bangladesh.
Prime Minister Modi visited the Jeshoreshwari temple on March 27 and also posted a video on X
