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As unrest intensifies in Bangladesh, it has emerged that an ISKCON temple in Meherpur, situated in the Khulna Division, has been set ablaze, along with the deities of Lord Jagannath, Baladev, and Subhadra Devi. Amid the chaos that unfolded across the country on Monday, leading to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation, some devotees residing in the temple managed to escape and survive.
Yudhistir Govinda Das, the Country Director of Communications and National Spokesperson for ISKCON India, reported on X, "According to the information I have received, one of our rented ISKCON centers in Meherpur (Khulna division) was destroyed by fire, including the deities of Lord Jagannath, Baladev, and Subhadra Devi. Three devotees who lived at the center somehow managed to escape and survive."
This incident is part of a broader wave of violence and unrest that has engulfed Bangladesh in recent weeks. Sheikh Hasina's resignation, following weeks of violent protests that resulted in 300 deaths, has led to speculation about the Bangladesh National Party (BNP), led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, potentially taking over power. This scenario has raised concerns about potential attacks on the Hindu community and strained relations with neighboring India.
Reports indicate that numerous Hindu homes and temples, including a Kali temple, have been vandalized by protesters, and two Hindu councillors have reportedly been killed. Additionally, an unruly mob damaged the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre (IGCC) and the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in Dhaka, according to eyewitnesses. Hasina was previously credited with maintaining political stability after the BNP's tenure, which had been marred by rising Islamist violence.
In response to the situation, the Indian government convened an all-party meeting at the Parliament House, where External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar updated leaders on the developments in Bangladesh. The government clarified that while the situation is concerning, it does not necessitate the evacuation of the 13,000 Indians in the country, though at least 8,000 have already returned.
The meeting included Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, among others. Jaishankar acknowledged the support from all MPs, while Rahul Gandhi raised questions about the potential involvement of external factors in the Bangladesh crisis.
The central government assured that all possible aspects were being investigated and expressed concerns over the plight of minorities in Bangladesh, amid fears that Islamist groups might exploit the leadership vacuum to target Hindus, who have historically faced discrimination and persecution.
The situation mirrors the 2021 anti-Hindu violence that erupted following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Dhaka, leading to attacks on Hindu temples during nationwide protests. With the BNP and the banned Jamaat-e-Islami party poised to assume control with military backing, these concerns have resurfaced.
The massive protests initially started over a controversial quota system for government jobs but escalated into broader discontent against the Awami League government, following Hasina’s remarks about ‘razakars’ and the subsequent police crackdown. Despite the Supreme Court scaling back the quotas, recent unrest flared up as students demanded Hasina’s resignation.
On Monday, at least 135 people were reported dead due to the violence, with 96 fatalities resulting from police firings, according to Dhaka Tribune. The protests culminated in Sheikh Hasina’s abrupt resignation and departure as her official residence in Dhaka was stormed by demonstrators.
In the wake of the turmoil, Bangladesh's Army Chief is scheduled to meet with student protest leaders, while the country awaits the formation of a new government. Traffic in Dhaka was lighter than usual, and schools reopened with minimal attendance after a shutdown since mid-July. Tarique Rahman, the exiled acting chief of the BNP, called for restraint and calm in a post on X.
General Waker-Uz-Zaman, the Army Chief, has engaged in discussions with major political parties—excluding Hasina’s Awami League—to chart a way forward and announced the unanimous decision to release BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, who has been imprisoned since 2018 on graft charges. A BNP spokesperson confirmed that Zia is in the hospital and will address all legal charges in due course.