Rising Violence Against Hindu Temples in Bangladesh Ahead of Durga Puja

Dhaka, October 16 (Daily Kiran) : In the lead-up to Durga Puja, Bangladesh has witnessed a troubling surge in violence against Hindu temples, with reports of 34 separate incidents involving attacks and vandalism. This alarming information was shared by local media, citing two Hindu organizations on Friday.

The Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad and the Metropolitan Sarbojanin Puja Committee have urged authorities to take effective measures to prevent further attacks and ensure the safety of religious minorities year-round. Their appeal came during a press conference held at the Dhakeshwari National Temple in Dhaka, organized just before the festival.

Santos Sharma, the general secretary of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad, highlighted the severity of the situation, stating, “This year, we have documented a notable 34 incidents of attacks on temples and the vandalism of idols.”

Leaders from the organizations expressed hope that Durga Puja would proceed peacefully, emphasizing that religious festivals should unite all communities and reinforce Bangladesh’s tradition of communal harmony.

The statement from the organizations pointed to several districts, including Sylhet, Rajbari, Panchagarh, and Tangail, where incidents of idol vandalism and temple attacks have occurred during festival preparations. It also mentioned a theft at a historic Kali temple in Faridpur and attacks on the homes, shops, and temples of the Hindu community in Sunamganj.

Additionally, the organizations reported a robbery in Naogaon, where suspects allegedly posed as intelligence agency officials. They stressed the need for strengthening secular values and increasing social resistance against communal violence, asserting that security should not be limited to the five days of the festival but should be ensured throughout the year.

The leaders called for a commitment to building a discrimination-free Bangladesh, insisting on accountability for those responsible for violence. This surge in attacks on Hindu temples and minority communities comes amid a broader context of rising violence, which began during the tenure of former interim government head Muhammad Yunus and has continued under the current Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) administration.

Earlier this week, the Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities (HRCBM) released a report detailing 498 incidents affecting religious and ethnic minorities between July and September 2026, including murder, assault, sexual violence, attacks on religious sites, and property violations.

HRCBM emphasized the need for thorough investigations into each incident, stating, “Every victim deserves protection. Perpetrators must not escape justice.” The organization expressed deep concern over the increasing violence against minorities.