Hindu temple looted amidst persecution of Hindus in Jhenaidah Sadar Upazila in Bangladesh
Jhenaidah District, Bangladesh 
7 October, 2025
Case Summary
A theft took place at the Siddheswari Temple in the Naldanga area of Jhenaidah Sadar Upazila, Bangladesh, on 8 October 2025. Around 4:00 AM, an unidentified man broke open the temple gate locks and entered the premises. CCTV footage captured him with his face partially covered by a handkerchief as he moved around inside, stealing items before escaping. The incident came to light when temple authorities discovered the broken locks in the morning and checked the CCTV footage. Superintendent of Police Mohammad Manjur Morshed, along with senior officials, visited the temple soon after and assured that the perpetrators would be caught. According to the President of the Siddheswari Temple Management Committee, Bankim Mukharjee, ornaments adorning the deities were stolen. He speculated that the thief may have mistaken the ornaments for gold and, upon realising they were of lesser value, refrained from causing more damage.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case has been placed under the “Undecided” database because, while it involves the theft of sacred ornaments from a Hindu temple, there is insufficient evidence at this stage to determine whether the act was motivated by religious hatred or was purely a case of theft. The available reports confirm that the Siddheswari Temple in Jhenaidah, Bangladesh, was broken into, and valuables were stolen. However, the identity, background, and motive of the perpetrator remain unknown. There is no direct evidence to indicate that the act was carried out specifically to insult or harm the Hindu faith, nor is there evidence to confirm that the target was chosen for religious reasons. That said, the context cannot be ignored. In Bangladesh, attacks, vandalism, and thefts targeting Hindu temples are frequent and often go unpunished, reflecting a climate of impunity and deep-seated animosity toward Hindus. It is within this broader pattern of systemic religious hostility that this incident becomes concerning. While this particular case lacks definitive proof of religious intent, the environment of unchecked anti-Hindu sentiment may have indirectly enabled such crimes, making it difficult to dismiss the possibility of a communal motive altogether. Since evidence regarding the perpetrator’s motive, identity, or possible pattern of targeting is not yet available, this incident is being placed under the 'Undecided' database. Should future investigation reveal any religious motivation behind the act, the classification may be revised accordingly.
Case Status
Unknown
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Others
Perpetrators Range
One Person
Perpetrators Gender
male
Sources 
