Three under construction idols meant for Durga Puja vandalised in Bangladesh

Case Summary
In Sujanagar, Pabna, miscreants vandalized three under-construction idols meant for Durga Puja at Palpara Durga Mandir. The incident came to light on the morning of October 2, 2024, when the temple committee discovered that the hands and heads of the idols were damaged. Bijon Pal, the temple committee president, suspected the vandalism occurred during the night. The local administration, including police, Rab, and army officials, visited the site after being informed. Efforts to repair the idols were initiated promptly to ensure the Durga Puja celebrations could proceed. Sujanagar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Sakibul Hossain confirmed the visit of law enforcement agencies and announced heightened security measures ahead of the festival. Although no formal complaint was filed, an investigation was launched to identify the culprits. The incident occurred amidst widespread unrest following the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government on August 5, 2024. The political turmoil created an environment where Islamist extremists unleashed violence against the Hindu community. Reports of Hindu homes being attacked, temples destroyed, and women abducted highlight the escalating persecution. This wave of terror has left Hindus in Bangladesh living in fear, with many unable to celebrate their religious festivals safely.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case has been added to the tracker under the prime category of- Attack on Hindu religious representations. Further, based on case details, the sub-category selected under the above-mentioned category is- Desecration of Hindu religious symbol. Icons and symbols or a religious representation of a spiritual ideal are widely revered in Hinduism. Iconography is of vital significance in the Hindu milieu. It helps connect people’s spiritual beliefs with the real world. Iconography within the Hindu faith takes several shapes and forms. Murtis are of most significance to Hindus, to which daily rituals, prayers and offerings are done. Besides the murtis, there are several other symbols which have deep significance in the Hindu faith – the Om and Swastika for example. Since these Hindu religious symbols hold paramount importance in Hinduism, any desecration of symbols, icons, murtis, religious representations and manifestations, is driven by animosity towards the faith itself which manifests itself through these murtis, icons and symbols. Therefore, any desecration of these Hindu religious symbols and representations is considered religiously motivated hate crimes 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. Amid this, this report indicates that three under-construction idols meant for Durga Puja were vandalised in Bangladesh. It is important to highlight that the Muslims involved in the vandalism were fully aware that Hinduism regards its deities with profound reverence, considering them sacred. By targeting these idols, they 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. Further, it is worth mentioning here that though the last update was that the miscreants were unknown, regardless, the action stemmed out of hatred against Hinduism and resulted in the desecration of the idols and would therefore be considered a religiously motivated hate crime.

Case Status
Complaint not filed

Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Unknown
Perpetrators Range
Unknown
Perpetrators Gender
unknown