Shitala Bari Temple attacked by Muslim men posing as anti-quota student leaders in Bangladesh

Case Summary
Islamists attacked the Shitala Bari Temple on the night of January 24, 2025. Posing as anti-quota student leaders, the attackers entered the temple premises and vandalised both the temple and the office of the temple committee. They also issued threats to the committee members, adding to the distress of the local Hindu community. This incident occurred during a period of heightened unrest in Bangladesh following the fall of Sheikh Hasina's Awami League government on August 5, 2024. The political instability created an environment where Muslim extremists escalated violence against the Hindu minority. Reports detailed mob attacks on Hindu homes, many of which were set on fire, and cases of women being abducted during these violent episodes. In addition to targeting individuals, extremists destroyed several temples, intensifying fear and insecurity among the resident Hindu population.
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- Attack on Temples. 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. Given the central significance of Temples in Hindu Dharma, any attack against a Hindu Temple or its peripheral premises is an attack on the faith itself and is born out of animosity towards the faith, of which, the Temple is a central tenet. Any manner of attack against a Temple and/or its premises would therefore be considered a religiously motivated hate crime. 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, news emerged that the Shitala Bari Temple was attacked by unknown miscreants. It is important to highlight that the Muslim mob involved in the vandalism were fully aware that Hindu temples are sacred centres of worship for Hindus. By targeting these temples, 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.

Case Status
Unknown

Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Muslim Extremists
Perpetrators Range
Unknown
Perpetrators Gender
male