At least 8 Hindu idols vandalised by miscreants in Bangladesh's Faridpur temple

As many as eight Hindu idols, including those ofArjuna and Ganesh, have been vandalised at a temple in Bhanga upazila of Faridpur in Bangladesh. The incident took place on Saturday (Sep 14) as Islamist mobs continue to target Hindus, the minority community in the country, as well as their worship places.

Bhanga police station Officer-in-Charge (OC), Moksedur Rahman, said police were conducting a thorough investigation to nab the culprits.

Arun Chandra Saha, general secretary of the Hari Mandir (temple), informed that artisans had just completed making the idols a few days ago when the miscreants attacked and destroyed them.

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“We were preparing to paint them in a day or two. There were a total of 14 idols in the temple, of which eight were vandalised," Saha was quoted as saying by theDhaka Tribune.

“We have demanded justice from the local administration. We hope a proper investigation will bring the culprits to justice," addedBhanga Puja Celebration Committee President Swapan Chandra Saha.

The incident has sent shockwaves through the community as local Hindus fear for their safety ahead of the upcoming Durga Puja festival.

Watch |Bangladesh unrest: Mobs vandalised the houses of Hindus in Dhaka's Miranjali Colony

Hindus in danger

Ever since Sheikh Hasina resigned as the prime minister and fled the country following mass protests, Bangladeshi Hindus have become asoft target for unruly mobs.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already told Professor Muhammad Yunus, chief adviser to the new interim government in Bangladesh, to protect Hindus in the country and provide security to them.

However, despite the clear message of New Delhi, the Yunus-led interim governmenthas asked Hindus in the country not to play musical instruments as part of Durga Puja celebrations during namaz and azan.

On Tuesday (Sep 10) last week, Bangladesh Home Affairs Adviser, Lieutenant General (retired) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhurysaid that puja committees hadbeen asked to turn off sound systems and avoid playing musical instruments during namaz and azan.

(With inputs from agencies)