Dhaka: Minority Hindus are facing persecution during the violence that erupted in Bangladesh after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina from the post of Prime Minister on August 5. Their business establishments and properties were vandalised and temples were damaged. Even during Durga Puja, puja pandals were attacked.

The Indian government has expressed concern over this. The Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement in New Delhi calling these incidents disgusting and said that temples and deities are being systematically desecrated in Bangladesh. We are concerned about the attack on the Puja Mandap and the theft at the revered Jeshoreshwari Kali temple in Satkhira.

Muhammad Yunus gave best wishes

Chief Adviser to Bangladesh's interim government Muhammad Yunus on Saturday visited the centuries-old Dhakeshwari temple and greeted Hindus amid reports of attacks on Durga Puja celebrations. Speaking at a ceremony at the temple, Yunus said the government wanted to build a Bangladesh where the rights of every citizen would be ensured.

A crude bomb was hurled at a Durga Puja pavilion in Tanti Bazar area of ​​old Dhaka on Friday night. However, the bomb burst into flames and no one was injured. Police said 17 people have been arrested and over 12 cases registered following nearly 35 untoward incidents related to Durga Puja celebrations in Bangladesh.

Efforts are on to ascertain the motive: Bangladesh

The development comes a day after it was revealed that a golden crown gifted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was stolen from the Jeshoreshwari Kali temple in Satkhira district during Durga Puja celebrations. The Indian High Commission in Dhaka has urged the Bangladesh government to investigate the theft and recover the crown besides taking action against the culprits.

Inspector General of Police Mohammad Moinul Islam said that we have a record of those responsible for the incident. Those involved in such disruptions will be punished. He said that Durga Puja is being organized in more than 32 thousand pavilions across the country. On a question about the attack in Chittagong, he said that two people have been arrested and efforts are on to find out the motive behind it.

On Thursday, about six people sang a song calling for Islamic revolution on the stage of a Durga Puja pandal in Chittagong, sparking outrage. A video clip of the incident was circulated on the internet media, angering people. A case has been registered against seven people, including the Puja committee's joint general secretary Sajal Dutta, in this connection.

Foreign Ministry raised objection 

The Ministry of External Affairs has strongly objected to the two incidents in Bangladesh. It said that these are reprehensible incidents. They follow a systematic pattern of desecration and damage to temples and deities, which we have been seeing for the last several days.

The Ministry of External Affairs said, 'We call upon the Government of Bangladesh to ensure the safety of Hindus and all minorities and their places of worship, especially during this auspicious festival.'