Bangladesh : Hindu Temple demolished and desecrated by the Local Administration

Hindu Temple “Raja Vijoy Singh Durdaria Shiva Mandir and Durga Mandir” situated within the Debottor Property at Mymensingh District demolished and deities thrown away by local Administration On last Sunday on 3rd of December,2017

On Sunday Local Administration – Zilla Parishad under the leadership of A.H.M. Lokman Hossain, Chief Executive, Ms.Banani Biswas, Secretary of the Parisahd and Abul Hashnat Lokman, Magistrate with some armed police went to the Temple premises, started desecrating & demolishing the Temple throwing the Hindu deities from the Temple in the name of eviction of unauthorized structures. Because of such act of violence, the Hindu communities of this area became helpless & disgruntled.

Hindu community leaders under the leadership of Adv. Bikash Roy met with Prof. Yousuf Khan Pathan, Chairman of the District Zilla Parishad on 3rd of December,2017 and expressed dis-satisfaction for the alleged attack on Temple and throwing out the Hindu deities in the street causing attack on Hindu religion.

Adv. Rabindra Ghosh of Bangladesh Minority Watch (BDMW) on receipt of reliable information contacted Prof. Yousuf Khan Pathan, Chairman of the Parishad who said “Some unauthorized persons committing crime, constructing Rickshaw garages and occupying the lands of ‘Muktijoddha’ and as such we have ordered Police to evict them from the premises, he also said some portion of lands along with structures have been removed legally.”

Adv. Rabindra Ghosh also discussed this with A.H.M. Lokman Hossain, Chief Executive of the Parishad. He said under the instruction of the Chairman and the Committee he started to demolish the structures and he also said no notice was served upon the existing dwellers to vacate the premises, but he said verbal notice was also served upon them.

Adv. Rabindra Ghosh tried to contact Khalilur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner, Mymensingh District to know why Magistrate has been deputed for demolition of Hind Temple but he did not receive his call dispite of repeatedly calling.

We are of the opinion that the local Administration have committed serious offence demolishing the Temple and throwing the deities in the street which caused utmost religious intolerance on other religion. BDMW planning to visit the Temple premises within a short time for fact-finding.

Bangladesh Minority Watch is very much concerned about demolition and desecration of Hindu Temples situated within the Debottor Property at Mymensingh District. BDMW also demand the Temples demolished by the local government without any lawful authority should be reconstructed and restored the original Hindu deities at the site of those Temple. BDMW also demand arbitrary action made by the local government should be explained and compensation be paid to the Temple Committee for its damage of religious places. The perpetrators responsible for such act of violence should be punished. Sense of tolerance & respect to other religion and co-existence should be taught. The Debottor properties should be protected and restored.