The case of the demolition of a Durga temple in Khilkhet of Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, is getting caught up. The minority community protested against the demolition of the temple and India has also objected to this. After India’s objection, now the cleanliness of Bangladesh regarding the demolition of Durga temple has come to light. Bangladesh says that the temple was built on the railway land without any permission.
According to a report by news agency ANI, Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry has said that during Durga Puja last year, the local Hindu community built a temporary puja pavilion on railway land without permission. During that time, the Railways had allowed to build a pavilion for Durga Puja, but under the agreement, the pavilion was to be removed after the ceremony. But the organizers violated the agreement and the pavilion was not removed even after the worship was over.
The Bangladesh Foreign Ministry said, “Unfortunately, after the end of the puja in October 2024, the organizers violated the mutual agreement and refused to remove the temporary pavilion. Instead, he installed the statue of Mahakali there.
The ministry says that despite repeated reminders, the organizers made the pavilion permanent and went against the agreement with the Railways. The statement also stated that the Railways discussed with the local community and issued a notification asking all the concerned people to remove encroachments from around the railway tracks.
All unauthorized establishments including shopkeepers, office of political parties were ordered to be removed.
The ministry also said in its clarification that the idol of Durga temple was immersed in the nearby sand river with proper reverence with local Hindus.
The government said that removing unauthorized structures to regain government land is a regular and legitimate administrative action.
Foreign Ministry criticized for demolition of Durga temple
On Thursday, India’s Foreign Ministry had criticized the interim government of Bangladesh for demolition of the temple and said that Mohammad Yunus -led interim government is taking favor to radical elements.
At the weekly press conference, Foreign Ministry spokesman Radhir Jaiswal had said, ‘We understand that the radicals were desperate to break the Durga temple in Khilkhet. Instead of providing security to the temple, the interim government showed it that the temple was illegally built and allowed the temple to be demolished today. During this time the idol was damaged. Such incidents are happening continuously in Bangladesh, due to which we are disappointed.
The Foreign Ministry spokesman reminded the Bangladesh government of their responsibility towards minorities, saying, “It is the duty of the interim government of Bangladesh to protect Hindus, their property and their religious places.”