Bangladesh clarifies media reports on Durga temple destruction

Dhaka: The Bangladesh government clarified the circumstances surrounding the demolition of a Durga temple in Dhaka’s Khilkhet area, stating that the temple was built without permission on land owned by Bangladesh Railways.

According to the Foreign Ministry, the local Hindu community installed a makeshift Puja Mandap on railway land during Durga Puja last year without prior permission. Although the railway authority later extended permission, the organisers failed to remove the structure after the celebrations, violating their agreement.

“The fact remains that last year, during Durga Puja, without having prior permission, the local Hindu community installed a makeshift Puja Mandap on a piece of land that is undisputedly owned by Bangladesh Railways. Later, the Railway authority extended permission with the condition that as soon as the Puja celebration is over, the organisers would remove the makeshift Mandap. Regrettably, after the Puja was over in October 2024, the organisers declined to remove the makeshift Mandap, violating the mutual agreement. Rather, they established a ‘Maha Kali’ (Kali Murti) there,” the Bangladesh foreign ministry said in a statement.

The ministry further explained that despite “repeated reminders, they unfortunately took the initiative to make the Mandap permanent, disregarding their own arrangement with the railway authorities.”

“In December 2024, Railway authorities held consultations with local community representatives, organisers of the Mandap and issued a public notification asking all concerned to remove all unauthorised installations, including vendors, hundreds of shops and political party offices, illegally built on either side of the rail tracks owned by Bangladesh Railway in the area,” the statement noted. (IANS)

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