Attempted theft during Mahanam Yajna: Muslim women enter temple premises disguised as devotees in Manikganj, Bangladesh
Bangladesh 
21 July, 2026
Case Summary
In Manikganj Municipality, Bangladesh, on 22 July, 2026, two Muslim women entered the Sri Sri Anandamoyee Kalibari Temple disguised as Hindu devotees during a Hindu religious ceremony and attempted to steal a gold chain from a Hindu woman while prasad was being distributed. The Muslim women, who wore traditional Hindu symbols, including shakha (conch shell bangles) and sindoor (vermilion), were apprehended by Hindu devotees inside the temple premises and later handed over to the police. The incident took place on 22 July 2026 at the Sri Sri Anandamoyee Kalibari Temple in Manikganj Municipality, where a Mahanam Yajna was being conducted. The Hindu religious ceremony was attended by hundreds of Hindu devotees who had gathered at the temple for worship and the distribution of prasad. The two Muslim women were identified as Bilkis Akhtar (20), wife of Junaid Hossain, a resident of Haluapara in Madhabpur Upazila, Habiganj, and Mina Akhtar (19), wife of Shakir Hossain, a resident of Maushadiya in Lakhai Upazila, Habiganj. They entered the Hindu temple wearing shakha and sindoor, presenting themselves as Hindu devotees participating in the religious ceremony. During the distribution of prasad, the two Muslim women attempted to snatch a gold chain from the neck of a Hindu female devotee. Hindu devotees present inside the temple noticed the theft attempt, apprehended both women within the temple premises, and subsequently handed them over to Manikganj Sadar Police Station. Gouranga Chandra Sarkar, General Secretary of the temple management committee, stated that the attempted theft took place while the Mahanam Yajna was underway with hundreds of Hindu devotees in attendance. He stated that the two Muslim women were caught while attempting to snatch the gold chain from a Hindu female devotee and were subsequently handed over to the police. Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Monir Hossain of Manikganj Sadar Police Station confirmed that the two Muslim women had been detained in connection with the attempted theft during the Hindu religious Anushthan (Sacred ritual) at the temple. He stated that no written complaint had been received at the time and that legal action would be taken following an investigation once a formal complaint was lodged. A Mahanam Yajna is a multi-day Hindu religious ceremony centred on continuous devotional chanting (nam-kirtan) of the sacred names of God. During the festival, offerings are made into a consecrated fire while devotees gather to pray, receive blessings, and partake in prasad, often held nonstop over several days (such as 24, 48, or 72 hours). The events occurred against the backdrop of escalating hostility towards Hindus in Bangladesh. This escalation of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh has unfolded in three distinct phases: first, following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina's government in August 2024; second, after the death of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi in December 2025; and third, in the immediate aftermath of the 13th National Parliamentary Election in 2026. Following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina, multiple reports documented attacks on Hindu homes, temples, and religious institutions, alongside intimidation campaigns, arson, and mob assaults targeting minority neighbourhoods. The Hinduphobia Tracker recorded 336 such incidents against the Hindu minority, underscoring the scale and persistence of anti-Hindu violence during this period. A further escalation occurred following the death of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, a Muslim political activist and student leader known for his anti-Hindu and anti-India rhetoric. Hadi had been involved in political unrest after the fall of the Hasina government and was killed in Dhaka on 18th December 2025 during clashes. In the aftermath of his death, Hindu communities were blamed and subsequently targeted in retaliatory violence. Hindu homes were selectively set ablaze in multiple localities, forcing families to flee and leaving many displaced. The attacks appeared patterned rather than sporadic, with Muslim mobs focusing on Hindu neighbourhoods, properties, and religious symbols. Among the victims was Dipu Chandra Das, who was lynched to death and his body was set ablaze by a Muslim mob over false blasphemy allegations. The Hinduphobia Tracker documented 51 incidents of anti-Hindu violence in the period following Hadi's death alone. Reports further indicated that posters and written materials calling for the extermination of Hindus were displayed in public spaces. Alongside incidents of arson, vandalism, assault, intimidation, and organised anti-Hindu mobilisation, these developments contributed to a climate of increasing insecurity for the Hindu minority. The third phase of violence emerged after the 13th National Parliamentary Election in 2026. Within days of the announcement of results, Hindu families in districts including Noakhali, Rangpur, Nilphamari, Sylhet, Thakurgaon, and Dinajpur reported attacks involving arson, looting, assault, and vandalism of temples and homes. In several instances, Hindu homes were selectively targeted, looted, and families were threatened with displacement.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
The primary category for this case is: Attack on Hindu religious representation. The subcategory for this case is: Defiling religious customs. Sanatan Dharma is not a religion of one book, which is to say that while it has religious scriptures that form the central tenets of the faith, there are several traditions followed through thousands of years, mostly passed from generation to generation orally. There are several such customs and traditions that are followed by various Hindus and Hindu sects. Defiling of these traditions and customs is a breach of an individual or group’s religious practices. Such practices can range from dietary restrictions like not eating non-vegetarian food for a certain period of the year, not eating non-vegetarian food at all, not eating beef since the cow is considered holy in Hinduism, the sanctity of religious customs followed in the house (like many ISCKON devotees), etc. Any malicious action leading to the breach of such traditions or defilement of these traditions owing to animosity towards the faith or for the sake of activism stems not only from the lack of faith in the religion itself but also from disregard for the faith of the devotees who follow the customs/traditions and implicit bias against the faith, the tradition itself. Since these specific traditions are central to the faith of the devotees of that specific sect of Hindus, any non-compliance with these traditional rules would be considered a religiously motivated hate crime. Hindu religious symbols are not merely cultural markers but are integral to the faith and religious identity of Hindus. Symbols such as shakha (conch shell bangles) and sindoor (vermilion) are closely associated with Hindu religious and marital traditions and are regarded with reverence by the Hindu community. Their significance extends beyond personal adornment, as they visibly represent Hindu religious identity and are intrinsically connected with Hindu customs, rituals, and beliefs. The deliberate misuse or desecration of such symbols undermines their sanctity and constitutes an attack on Hindu religious representation. This case has been included in the Hinduphobia Tracker because it involved the use of shakha and sindoor by two Muslim women to present themselves as Hindu devotees and gain access to the Sri Sri Anandamoyee Kalibari Temple during an ongoing Mahanam Yajna. The use of these sacred Hindu symbols was not an expression of religious faith or participation in Hindu practice but was allegedly employed to create the appearance of belonging to the Hindu community and facilitate access to a Hindu place of worship. By using symbols carrying deep religious and cultural significance in this manner, the accused allegedly exploited Hindu religious markers for a deceptive purpose, undermining their sanctity and meaning for the community that reveres them. The incident occurred within a Hindu temple during a religious ceremony attended by hundreds of Hindu devotees. Hindu temples are not merely physical structures but sacred spaces where devotees gather for worship, rituals, and community observances in an environment of trust and religious devotion. By entering the temple while presenting themselves as fellow Hindu devotees, the accused exploited the openness and trust associated with a religious gathering, creating a sense of violation among worshippers who were participating in the ceremony. The targeting of a Hindu devotee during the distribution of prasad further aggravated the religious significance of the incident. Prasad distribution is an important part of Hindu religious observances, symbolising divine blessings and communal participation among devotees. An attempt to commit theft within this setting, while using Hindu religious symbols as a means of gaining acceptance, affected not only the individual victim but also the sense of security and sanctity associated with the religious ceremony. The incident highlights concerns regarding the protection of Hindu religious spaces and practices, where temples and religious gatherings serve as important centres of worship and cultural continuity for the Hindu community. Any act involving the exploitation of Hindu religious symbols or the disruption of Hindu religious observances can have a broader impact by undermining devotees’ sense of safety and confidence in preserving their religious practices.
Case Status
Unknown
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Muslim Extremists
Perpetrators Range
From 2 To 5
Perpetrators Gender
female
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