New Delhi/Kolkata, Jan 12 (UNI) As another ancient Kali temple in Bangladesh was vandalised, the miniature idols stolen along with the gold ornaments and even the CCTV, the country’s police has released a report claiming that 98% of the attacks on Hindus and other minorities, and vandalism of their homes and temples were “politically motivated”.
Noted ISKCON leader from Kolkata Radharamn Das posted on X pictures and information about the vandalisation of the Bhavatarini Kali Temple, in Kaliganj Upazila, Lalmonirhat, in Rangpur Division.
In his post he said that the temple had been looted. “Not a single Deity has been left behind, not even the items used for worship—they’ve taken everything! Where will Hindus of this ancient temple in #Bangladesh now go to worship, and with what will they conduct their rituals?
“The idol of Bhavatarini Kali, along with worship materials, CCTV equipment, and preserved old miniature idols, has been stolen from the historical Bhavatarini Kali Temple, established at the Tushbhandar Zamindar House in Kaliganj Upazila, Lalmonirhat.
“This morning, on January 10, when the temple priest arrived for the daily worship, he found the temple's lock broken. The valuable Kali idol from the zamindar era, gold ornaments, worship materials, and preserved small old idols were all missing.”
Meanwhile, according to sources “amid the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government, the Bangladesh police in a report said that “98.4% of the 1,415 reported incidents of attacks and vandalism against minorities were politically motivated, while only 1.59% occurred due to communal reasons”.
This information emerged from a police investigation into incidents between August 4 and August 20.
The findings were shared on Saturday in a press release from the Chief Adviser’s press wing.
The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council had reported 2,010 incidents of communal violence during the period.
However, police data indicates 1,769 cases of reported attacks and vandalism. Of these, police investigated 1,415 incidents, while 354 cases are still under investigation.
Among the 1,415 investigated cases, 1,254 were found to be substantiated, while 161 lacked evidence.
Of the verified 1,254 cases, 1,234 incidents (98.4%) were found to be “politically motivated”, while just 20 cases (1.59%) were found to be communal in nature.
As of December 8, 2024, 2,200 incidents of killings and attacks on minorities were reported since Aug 5.
The interim government then denounced these reports as media exaggerations and refused to acknowledge the seriousness or take responsibility.
Now 4-5 months down the line their own police have investigated and acknowledged, but only 1,769 cases.
“Among those found substantiated the Bangladesh side have come up with the theory that over 98% of the incidents are criminal but politically motivated. How does political motivation justify any killing? What steps are being taken to bring the culprits to justice, or prevent recurrence?”, the sources asked.
This comes as ISKCON monk Chinmoy Krishna Das continues to be in jail for alleged sedition, and according to reports on social media, his monk colleagues are not allowed to meet him or bring him food and medicine, despite his being unwell.
UNI RN