Wednesday, 16 October, 2024
The government has dismissed India’s allegations of temple and deity vandalism during Durga Puja in Bangladesh, labeling them as baseless.
“The Government of Bangladesh finds such allegations baseless and the assertions uncalled for,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on Monday.
The ministry emphasized that Bangladesh’s interim government remains committed to maintaining the country’s long-standing secular and inclusive principles. It reassured the international community of its ongoing efforts to uphold these values.
In response to the statement made by the spokesperson of India’s Ministry of External Affairs on October 12, 2024, which urged the Government of Bangladesh to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities and their places of worship during the festival, the foreign ministry expressed its concerns. The Indian statement had also alleged a “systemic pattern of desecration and damage to temples and deities.”
The Bangladesh Foreign Ministry clarified that only a few isolated incidents were reported, and authorities acted promptly to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and other minorities throughout the festival period.
"Communal harmony and peaceful coexistence are time-honored features of Bangladesh’s liberal and democratic ethos, uniting all its people," the ministry asserted.
The statement further stressed that the Bangladesh government strongly upholds the right of every individual, regardless of faith or belief, to freely perform religious rituals without any interference. This commitment, it noted, was demonstrated through the peaceful observance of Durga Puja at over 32,000 Puja Mandaps set up spontaneously across the country.
Regarding the reported theft of a golden crown from the Jeshoreshwari Kali Temple in Satkhira on October 10, 2024, the ministry confirmed that the head priest performed the regular rites until 2:30 p.m., at which time the crown was still secure. An investigation is ongoing to determine why the priest and temple staff left the valuable item unguarded.
The statement mentioned that four individuals have already been arrested in connection with the theft, highlighting that ensuring the safety and security of all citizens, particularly religious minorities, remains a priority for the Government of Bangladesh.
“Upholding the rights of every citizen, regardless of identity, religion, or faith, is an internal matter of Bangladesh,” the ministry concluded.
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The government has dismissed India’s allegations of temple and deity vandalism during Durga Puja in Bangladesh, labeling them as baseless.
“The Government of Bangladesh finds such allegations baseless and the assertions uncalled for,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on Monday.
The ministry emphasized that Bangladesh’s interim government remains committed to maintaining the country’s long-standing secular and inclusive principles. It reassured the international community of its ongoing efforts to uphold these values.
In response to the statement made by the spokesperson of India’s Ministry of External Affairs on October 12, 2024, which urged the Government of Bangladesh to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities and their places of worship during the festival, the foreign ministry expressed its concerns. The Indian statement had also alleged a “systemic pattern of desecration and damage to temples and deities.”
The Bangladesh Foreign Ministry clarified that only a few isolated incidents were reported, and authorities acted promptly to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and other minorities throughout the festival period.
"Communal harmony and peaceful coexistence are time-honored features of Bangladesh’s liberal and democratic ethos, uniting all its people," the ministry asserted.
The statement further stressed that the Bangladesh government strongly upholds the right of every individual, regardless of faith or belief, to freely perform religious rituals without any interference. This commitment, it noted, was demonstrated through the peaceful observance of Durga Puja at over 32,000 Puja Mandaps set up spontaneously across the country.
Regarding the reported theft of a golden crown from the Jeshoreshwari Kali Temple in Satkhira on October 10, 2024, the ministry confirmed that the head priest performed the regular rites until 2:30 p.m., at which time the crown was still secure. An investigation is ongoing to determine why the priest and temple staff left the valuable item unguarded.
The statement mentioned that four individuals have already been arrested in connection with the theft, highlighting that ensuring the safety and security of all citizens, particularly religious minorities, remains a priority for the Government of Bangladesh.
“Upholding the rights of every citizen, regardless of identity, religion, or faith, is an internal matter of Bangladesh,” the ministry concluded.
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