Vested quarters carry out premeditated attacks on temples, houses: Govt

The government of Bangladesh unequivocally condemns the arson, vandalising temples and idols of Hindu community during the recent Durga Puja festival across the country, said a Foreign Ministry press release issued on Tuesday.

It said the government took serious note of it from within and outside the Hindu community and deployed Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) forces in 22 districts of the country in aid of the civilian administration.

“Prime Minister herself has assured of bringing the perpetrators to justice, including by taking recourse to technological means available with the law enforcement and investigative agencies,” said the release.

Prime Minister urged all concerned to exercise restraint under any provocation and to refrain from spreading or acting on unfounded rumours. She called upon all to maintain communal harmony at any cost. Senior government leaders have visited a number of affected sites, and assured the Hindu community members of adequate protection and compensation for the damages incurred.

Some 71 cases have been filed in connection with these incidents. The alleged mastermind behind the attacks in Cumilla has already been arrested.

The Government remains concerned that certain vested quarters are carrying out such pre-meditated attacks to gain some dubious political mileage. It is regrettable that the local elements that opposed Bangladesh’s independence 50 year ago are still propagating their toxic narratives to instigate violence, hatred and bigotry, the release said.

They are trying to undermine Bangladesh’s secular, non-communal and pluralistic credentials in the international context by deliberately targeting one of the biggest religious festivals of the country. The Government appreciates the Hindu community for concluding the festivities in a befitting spirit and also welcomes the overwhelming show of solidarity by people in general.

In this context, the Government would like to reiterate that communal harmony and peaceful co-existence are cornerstones of our democratic polity. For centuries, people from different faiths, ethnicities and religions have been living in this land in peace and harmony.

Under the current circumstances, the Government urges all concerned to uphold the spirit of tolerance, inclusivity, peace and pluralism and to stand guard against further efforts to malign the state institutions and tarnish the image of the country.

The Government remains committed to prevent the recurrence of such untoward incidents and would expect that further complication or misunderstanding would be averted through responsible and fact-based reporting through all media platforms.