Hindu temple land encroached by Muslims amidst large scale persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh

Case ID : 152ded3 | Location : Kurigram District, Bangladesh | Date of Incident : Mon, 20 January, 2025
Case ID : 152ded3
location Kurigram District, Bangladesh
date 20 January, 2025
Hindu temple land encroached by Muslims amidst large scale persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh
Attack on Hindu religious representations
Encroachment or illicit takeover of temple land/land near temple

Case Summary

In Kurigram district, Bangladesh, Islamists and land mafias targeted the Chaturbhuj Narayan Mandir in Vurungamari village. They illegally seized the temple’s land, built a fence around it, and blocked the road leading to the temple. As a result, the Hindu community in the area found themselves unable to protest or access their sacred site. This incident was part of a larger wave of violence and unrest that had been escalating since the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government on August 5, 2024. Islamist extremists had been exploiting the political turmoil to attack the Hindu community. These attacks included the destruction of temples, the burning of Hindu homes, and the abduction of women. The situation had left the Hindu minority in Bangladesh increasingly vulnerable, as extremists continued to target their religious and cultural symbols.

Why it is Hate Crime ?

The case has been added to the tracker under the prime category of- Attack on Hindu religious representations. Under this, the sub-category selected is- Encroachment or illicit takeover of temple land/land near temple. In Hinduism, a temple is the abode of the Deity. The Deity in the Temple is consecrated, thereby, making it a real, breathing entity. Hindus believe that not just the Deity but the temple premises itself are sacred to Hindus since Hindus hold the faith that the entire Temple space is an amalgamation of the divine energy of the deity. Not only the Temple but the Temple premises in its entirety are considered sacred by Hindus. In several cases, the premises of the Temple and/or religious centre are illicitly taken over by institutions belonging to other faiths – like the Waqf board or the Church. Other times, the temple property, land or the property of religious centres are illicitly encroached by non-Hindu groups. Any illicit take over or encroachment is a crime an initio, however, when non-Hindu groups illicitly take over or encroach the sacred land of Hindus, it is an affront to the Hindu community and is therefore classified as a religiously motivated hate crime under this category. The removal of Sheikh Hasina from power in Bangladesh on August 5, 2024, escalated the persecution and marginalisation of the Hindu minority in the predominantly Islamic nation, intensifying what can be described as a silent genocide. Since her ouster, Islamists have carried out unchecked atrocities against Hindus, including physical violence, the destruction of temples and religious symbols, and the systematic displacement of Hindus from their ancestral lands. Over 205 attacks on Hindu temples, shops, and businesses have been recorded following Sheikh Hasina's removal as Prime Minister. Many Hindus have been brutally murdered or injured in these assaults. Amidst all of this, Islamists targeted the Chaturbhuj Narayan Mandir in Vurungamari village. They illegally seized the temple’s land, built a fence around it, and blocked the road leading to the temple, leaving the devotees deprived of visiting their sacred site. By targeting the temple, the Islamists knowingly attacked the religious sentiments of the Hindu community. The purpose behind this was obviously to intimidate, harass, or provoke the Hindu worshippers. Furthermore, it was done primarily to target Hindus, making it a kind of religious harassment worthy of being listed in the tracker.

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Case Status


Unknown

Case Status Background
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Perpetrators Details

Perpetrators


Muslim Extremists

Perpetrators Range


Unknown

Perpetrators Gender


unknown

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