Hindu temple vandalised and idol destroyed in religious hate attack in Bangladesh
Moulvibazar District, Bangladesh 
5 May, 2025
Case Summary
In the Palakandi Tea Estate, of the Moulvibazar district, an ancient Kali Mandir was vandalised and the idol of Goddess Kali was smashed to pieces. The act was carried out by some unknown miscreants. This temple served as a significant religious and cultural centre for the local Hindu tea worker community. On the morning of May 9, when devotees arrived there for their daily pooja, they discovered that the temple had been desecrated with the idol of Goddess Kali damaged, with its head and arms shattered. The incident has caused deep distress among the local Hindu population, for whom the temple held deep religious significance. This attack represents not just an act of religious desecration but also a grave violation of the rights and dignity of the marginalised Hindu community in Bangladesh.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case has been added to the tracker under the primary category of: - Attack on Hindu religious representations. Within it, the sub-category selected 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 other sub-category relevant here 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. This incident is a clear example of a religiously motivated hate crime against Hindus in Bangladesh. A Hindu temple was vandalised, and the idol of Goddess Kali was deliberately destroyed, with its head and arms smashed. This reflects a deep religious hatred towards Hindu beliefs. Leaving the desecrated idol at the location was a deliberate act of intimidation, communicating to Hindus that their religious practices are unwelcome in a Muslim majority country like Bangladesh. These kinds of attacks are not isolated but are part of a recurring pattern of religious hostility towards Hindu minorities in Bangladesh. Time and again, Hindu religious sites and symbols have been destroyed and desecrated by members of the Muslim community. This stems from religious animosity that exists in Islam against idol worshippers like Hindus, as idol worship is forbidden in Islam. This results in Hindus being frequently targeted and attacked just for practising their own faith. These attacks on temples and murtis are not just acts of vandalism; they are direct assaults on the religious identity of Hindus. It highlights an atmosphere of religious intolerance where Hindu minority communities live under constant threat to their faith and dignity. Disclaimer: It is important to mention here that though the last update was that the miscreants were unknown, regardless, the action stemmed from hatred against Hinduism and resulted in the desecration of the sacred temple and would therefore be considered a religiously motivated hate crime.
Case Status
Unknown
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Unknown
Perpetrators Range
Unknown
Perpetrators Gender
unknown
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