Three Hindu temples in Bangladesh’s Chattogram vandalized; Kolkata hospital stops treatment for Bangladeshi patients amid rising tensions

Fresh attack on Hindu temples in Bangladesh’s Chattogram

A violent mob attacked three Hindu temples in Chattogram, Bangladesh, on Friday afternoon, escalating tensions in the region following protests over sedition charges against Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das.

The incident occurred around 2:30 p.m. (BDT) in the Harish Chandra Munsef Lane area of the port city, with the Shantaneshwari Matri Temple, Shani Temple, and Shantaneshwari Kalibari Temple being the primary targets.

According to temple authorities, a group of protesters, shouting slogans, hurled brickbats at the temples, causing significant damage to the structures.

However, Bangladeshi officials later reported minimal damage following a confrontation between the protesters and temple supporters, who also threw bricks in retaliation.

The unrest follows the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, a former ISKCON member, on Monday. Das was charged with sedition and denied bail by a court on Tuesday.

His arrest sparked widespread protests across Bangladesh, particularly in Dhaka and Chattogram, where members of the Hindu community rallied against the charges.

The sedition case was filed on October 30, accusing 19 individuals, including Das, of disrespecting the Bangladeshi national flag during a Hindu rally in the New Market area of Chattogram. The case has become a focal point of growing unrest, with tensions between the Hindu community and local authorities intensifying in recent days.

Kolkata hospital halts treatment of Bangladeshis

Kolkata’s JN Ray Hospital has announced an indefinite suspension of treatment for Bangladeshi patients, coinciding with a series of violent attacks on Hindu temples in Chattogram, Bangladesh. The hospital’s decision, declared on Friday, is a reaction to reported anti-Hindu violence and perceived insults to the Indian flag by some Bangladeshi nationals.

Hospital official Subhranshu Bhakt said, “Starting today, no Bangladeshi patient will be admitted. This step is a protest against atrocities on minorities in Bangladesh and the dishonor shown to our tricolour.” Bhakt also called on other hospitals in the city to take similar action.

India takes serious note of attacks on minorities in Bangladesh

Meanwhile, India expressed serious concerns about the situation, with the Indian government urging Bangladesh to protect its Hindu and other minority communities.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar informed the Indian Parliament that the violence against minorities in Bangladesh is being closely monitored, with the Indian High Commission in Dhaka actively following developments.

“We are deeply concerned by the surge in extremist rhetoric and the increasing incidents of violence, including attacks on Hindu temples. The interim government in Dhaka must fulfill its responsibility to protect all minorities and their rights,” stated Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

Dhaka asks India to ensure safety of its missions

The diplomatic tensions between Bangladesh and India further escalated on Friday when Bangladesh condemned a violent protest at its deputy high commission in Kolkata. The Bangladeshi government called on India to ensure the safety of all its diplomatic missions in the country.

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