In a fresh incident highlighting the persistent vulnerability of religious minorities in Bangladesh under the interim Yunus-led government, unidentified perpetrators vandalised a Saraswati idol at a public puja mandap in Mukshudpur Upazila of the Hindu-dominated Gopalganj district late Friday night.
According to Mukshudpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abdullah Al Mamun, the desecration occurred after Saraswati Puja concluded at the communal puja site in West Ujani Kandanipara village, Ujani Union. Worshippers left the mandap around midnight, and sometime afterwards, assailants twisted the neck of the Saraswati idol, leaving its head dangling in a deliberate act of sacrilege.
Local residents discovered the damage on Saturday morning and immediately alerted the police. In response, a high-level team—including Mukshudpur Circle ASP Nafizur Rahman, Assistant Commissioner (Land) Mohammad Abu Hasnat, senior police and administrative officials, intelligence personnel, and army members—visited the site for inspection.
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OC Mamun noted that CCTV cameras at the location had been removed prior to the vandalism, preventing any footage from capturing the perpetrators. As a result, no suspects have been identified so far. Police have launched an on-ground investigation to trace those responsible, and the officer urged the temple committee to file a formal complaint, after which a case will be registered.
This temple vandalism adds to a documented surge in attacks on Hindu religious sites and symbols since the August 2024 political changeover, with reports from minority rights groups citing repeated idol desecrations, temple lootings, and mob violence often linked to blasphemy allegations or extremist elements. Gopalganj, historically a Hindu-majority district, has seen heightened Islamist targeting, contributing to widespread fear among the community.
The incident coincides with growing international outcry, as evidenced by coordinated protests in Bangladesh and abroad, as well as on social media, demanding fast-track tribunals for minority crimes, enhanced security in vulnerable areas, compensation for victims, job reinstatement for displaced Hindus, and the establishment of a dedicated Minority Commission for Sanatan (Hindu) communities.
Activists condemned the violence as amounting to “ethnic cleansing.” Placards reading “Stop Killing Hindus” and chants highlighted specific cases of persecution, including alleged killings, rapes, arrests on false charges, and the broader pattern of targeted attacks under the interim regime.
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They are calling for suspension of aid to Bangladesh, targeted sanctions on perpetrators, a full parliamentary debate, and appointment of a special envoy. They stress that the action is against injustice, not any faith or nation, and urged global recognition that “Hindu lives matter.”
These events reflect mounting pressure on the Yunus administration ahead of the February 12 elections, with minority advocates documenting thousands of violence cases—including temple vandalism, mob attacks, and demographic pressures—since mid-2024. As protests gain traction worldwide (with further rallies planned in the US), the Gopalganj desecration serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for protection, justice, and accountability for Bangladesh’s religious minorities.
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