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Bangladesh Demolishes Khilkhet Durga Temple, Deepening Strain With India

Dhaka characterized the eviction as a lawful land recovery with reverent idol immersion, fueling minority protests alongside diplomatic friction with New Delhi.

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Hindu temple razed in Bangladesh, India says extremists clamoured for demolition
MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during the weekly media briefing | Image: X

Overview

  • Bangladesh Railway authorities backed by police and military razed the makeshift Durga mandap on June 26, citing illegal encroachment on railway land.
  • The interim government said the idol was immersed in the nearby Balu River with due reverence and framed the action as routine land-recovery governance.
  • Hindu and minority groups organised nationwide shutdowns and human chains in areas such as Shahbagh to condemn the temple’s destruction.
  • India’s Ministry of External Affairs condemned Dhaka for allowing extremist pressure to override protection of Hindu properties and institutions.
  • The incident has strained bilateral ties as New Delhi urges minority safeguards and Dhaka reaffirms its legal justification while pledging to protect all communities’ rights.