International Desk, 6th August: Protests in Bangladesh have escalated following the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5. The unrest has seen violent attacks on religious and cultural institutions, including a significant incident at an ISKCON temple in Meherpur, Khulna division.
The Meherpur ISKCON temple, which housed deities of Lord Jagannath, Baladev, and Subhadra Devi, was set ablaze by attackers. According to ISKCON spokesperson Yudhistir Govinda Das, the fire resulted in the destruction of the temple and its sacred deities, though three devotees residing at the center managed to escape unharmed. Das confirmed the incident via a post on X (formerly Twitter).
This attack is part of a broader pattern of violence against Hindu temples in Bangladesh, with at least four temples reportedly targeted and damaged on August 5. Kajol Debnath, leader of the Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, highlighted the increasing threats faced by religious minorities amid the ongoing unrest.
The violence also extended to cultural institutions, with an Indian cultural centre in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi area being vandalized. The Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre, known for fostering cultural exchange between India and Bangladesh, suffered damage during the turmoil.
The current unrest, which has led to widespread vandalism and communal violence, underscores the volatile situation in Bangladesh following Hasina’s resignation.
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