Thousands of Hindus marched in Dhaka to protest the alleged desecration of an image of Lord Ram and the suspension of a statue project. The demonstrations have brought renewed attention to concerns over minority rights in Muslim-majority Bangladesh.
Massive protests have erupted in Dhaka, Bangladesh, over the alleged desecration of an image of Lord Ram by groups opposing the construction of what was intended to be the tallest statue of the deity in Rangpur. With construction now halted, thousands of Hindus held a torchlight procession in Dhaka on Friday, chanting “Jai Shri Ram” and demanding the arrest of those responsible for the alleged desecration.
Tensions in Bangladesh have escalated after construction of an 81-foot statue of Lord Ram in Palashbari, Gaibandha district, was halted. The Sri Sri Radha Govinda Temple committee said the project faced threats from Islamist groups. The incident has renewed concerns over minority rights in Muslim-majority Bangladesh.
Hindu groups in Bangladesh are protesting after a case was filed over recent incidents, but no arrests have been made so far. On Friday, several organisations and students gathered at Shahbagh and marched to the National Press Club following a call from the Hindu Mahajot, which also organized a human chain there. Another group held a separate protest near the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) building.
In Rangpur, a minor scuffle broke out after police stopped a Hindu demonstration. Protesters alleged that an image of Lord Ram was desecrated by an Islamist group during a rally in Gaibandha earlier this month.
They accused the BNP-led government of inaction and issued a 72-hour ultimatum for the arrest of those involved, warning of further protests if their demands are not met. A memorandum will also be submitted to the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
The Hindu Mahajot said that if construction of the Lord Ram statue is not resumed, Ram temples would be built across all 64 districts of Bangladesh. Further nationwide protests are expected to continue.
Construction of the Lord Ram statue at Palashbari, part of a larger temple complex, has been halted despite nearly 80% of the work being completed. The project, estimated to cost around 22 crore Bangladeshi taka (about ₹15.6 crore), also includes statues of Lord Krishna and Lord Shiva.
Haridas Chandra Das, president of the Sri Sri Radha Govinda Temple committee, said the project was halted after threats from Islamist groups. He also claimed that a radical Islamic preacher threatened to demolish the statue using a bulldozer.
Haridas Chandra Das, president of the Sri Sri Radha Govinda Temple committee, said the work was suspended out of fear after threats, and he urged Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to intervene. He said the statue was being built as a tribute to a key figure of Sanatan Dharma.
Committee adviser Shyamlal Kumar Mahanta said the decision was taken to preserve social harmony and avoid conflict, adding that they did not want to disturb law and order or hurt religious sentiments.
Hindus, who make up about 8% of Bangladesh’s population, are the country’s largest religious minority. The development comes amid reports of rising tensions affecting the community.
Rahman, who assumed office in February, has reiterated that all citizens in Bangladesh have the right to practice their religion, stating that religion is personal while the country “belongs to everyone.”
However, around 133 incidents of communal violence were reported between January 1 and March 31 this year.
