Thousands of Hindus staged massive protests in Dhaka on Friday after the alleged desecration of a Lord Ram image and the halting of a statue project in Rangpur.
Demonstrators raised “Jai Shri Ram” chants and demanded immediate arrests of those responsible.
The protests followed reports that an Islamist mob placed a shoe on a picture of Lord Ram during a demonstration in Gaibandha earlier this month. Hindu organisations, led by the Hindu Mahajot, gathered at Shahbagh intersection and marched to the National Press Club. They also formed a human chain and staged demonstrations near the Dhaka Reporters Unity building.
The Sri Sri Radha Govinda Temple committee, which is building the 81-foot statue of Lord Ram in Palashbari, said construction was halted after threats from Islamist groups. Committee president Haridas Chandra Das confirmed that nearly 80% of the work was completed before the suspension. He appealed to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to intervene and ensure protection for the project.
Protesters accused the BNP-led government of inaction and issued a 72-hour ultimatum demanding arrests. They warned of further rallies if their demands were not met. The Hindu Mahajot also declared that if the statue project remained blocked, they would build Ram temples across all 64 districts of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh’s Hindu community, which makes up about 8% of the population, has raised concerns over rising communal violence. Reports indicate 133 incidents of attacks on minorities between January and March this year.
The National Committee for Puja Celebrations announced a nationwide agitation beginning Saturday, intensifying pressure on the government to act.
