Hindu groups in Dhaka on Friday held a major protest over the alleged desecration of a picture of Lord Ram in northern Bangladesh. The protesters demanded the arrest of those responsible and carried out a large torchlight procession, chanting “Jai Shri Ram.”
The photograph was allegedly vandalised during a demonstration in Gaibandha district by a group of radical Islamists opposing the construction of what is planned to be an 81-foot-tall statue of Lord Ram in the Muslim-majority country.
The statue is part of a temple complex being built at Palashbari in Gaibandha. The proposed project, estimated to cost around 22 crore Bangladeshi taka (approximately Rs 15.6 crore), also includes a 50-foot statue of Lord Krishna and a 30-foot statue of Lord Shiva.
According to Haridas Chandra Das, president of the Sri Sri Radha Govinda Temple committee behind the project, construction of the statue was paused after threats from Islamist groups against those involved in the project. Das said that fear among organisers was one of the main reasons work had been halted, and he appealed to Bangladeshi authorities, including Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, to ensure the project could be completed safely.
Temple authorities allege that Islamist groups have been creating obstacles since the beginning of the construction work, prompting them to temporarily halt the project in order to preserve social harmony.
At around 1.3 crore, Hindus are the largest religious minority in Bangladesh, making up a little less than 8% of the country’s population of over 17 crore.
