ISKCON Temple Targeted in Bangladesh Amid Ongoing Unrest

Amid the escalating unrest following the resignation and departure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, an ISKCON temple in Meherpur, Khulna division, has been vandalized and set on fire. This attack is part of a broader wave of violence targeting Hindu temples across Bangladesh in the last 24 hours.

ISKCON spokesperson Yudhistir Govinda Das confirmed the incident, stating, “As per the info I have received, one of our ISKCON centers (rented) in Meherpur was burnt, including the deities of Lord Jagannath, Baladev, and Subhadra Devi. Three devotees who lived in the center somehow managed to escape and survived.” The increasing attacks on religious minorities, particularly Hindu temples, have heightened concerns about their safety in the current volatile environment.

Kajol Debnath, leader of the Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, reported to PTI that at least four Hindu temples were targeted on Monday, suffering minor damages. The situation for religious minorities has grown increasingly precarious following Hasina’s ouster.

Additionally, the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi area, which promotes cultural exchange between India and Bangladesh, was vandalized by an unruly mob. The attack on this cultural hub underscores the widespread nature of the current unrest.

The anti-government protests, initially sparked by calls to abolish a civil service quota system, escalated into demands for Sheikh Hasina’s resignation after violent clashes between demonstrators and supporters of the Awami League resulted in hundreds of deaths.

The international community is urged to monitor the situation closely and support efforts to restore peace and protect religious minorities in Bangladesh during this period of turmoil.