While we often expose the brutality embedded in Pakistani society, another Islamic country in South Asia doesn’t get as much notice for the widespread jihadi activity there: Bangladesh. While international organizations like the United Nations promote development and build the country’s infrastructure, Bangladesh’s domestic apparatus is busy nurturing Islamic jihadists. These Jihadists are on a mission to wipe out Hindus and Hindu temples from the entire nation of Bangladesh and they are achieving great success month after month under the weak leadership of Sheikh Hasina.
Bangladesh can boast of another horrific attack on the persecuted Hindu minority: it was carried out on the night of February 4-5, when Muslims demolished 14 temples in just one night. Simultaneous attacks were carried out between Saturday night and Sunday morning in various villages of Charol, Dhantala and Paria Unions of Baliadangi Upazila in Thakurgaon District of Bangladesh. The vandals ransacked the temple and broke several idols of Hindu deities inside.
General Secretary of Baliandani Upazila Puja Udjakar Parishad Vidyanath Barman said that nine temples in Dhantala, four in Paria and one in Charol were vandalized. These temples were dedicated to Hindu deities and religious figures including Lord Krishna, Goddess Manasa, Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess Kali and Haribasar.
“The arms, legs and head of the statue have been broken into pieces. Some were broken and thrown into the pond,” the general secretary said. He further said, “We want the authorities to investigate the matter thoroughly and arrest the real culprits.
After visiting the temples, a police officer revealed what was already public knowledge: “After seeing it once, it seemed to me that the act was deliberate,” he said. He also promised to identify the culprits and bring those responsible for the destruction to justice. But Bangladesh has a long history of not punishing perpetrators of violence against Hindus. After all, the accused are declared mentally unstable when caught.
The police officer also claimed that the planned attacks were carried out to “disrupt the peaceful situation in the country”. This cowardly statement highlights the systematic jihadist attacks on Hindus and the institutionalized discrimination of Bangladeshi Hindus. The rude and barbaric behavior of the predominantly Muslim population of Bangladesh and the government’s inaction have forced millions of Bengali Hindus to abandon their homes and livelihoods in their native countries and seek refuge in India. Those who are financially better off try to migrate to first world countries in Europe and North America.
Professor of Dhaka University. Abul Barakat, after decades of researching the emigration of Bangladeshi Hindus, predicts that by 2050 Hindus in Bangladesh will be completely wiped out. From 1965 to 2006, Bangladeshi Hindus were robbed of approximately 2.6 million acres of land through the crooked application of the Vested Property Act and other illegal means.
Police officers in Bangladesh fail to recognize that repeated attacks on Hindu temples are a result of Islamic orders claiming there is no god but Allah, and labeling “idolatry” as shirk, the gravest of sins. A majority of the population who believe in this doctrine and recite it many times a day and who also believe that those who commit shirk should be fought against, can never tolerate a pluralistic society. The growth of madrassa culture in Bangladesh is also fueling an atmosphere of intolerance and hatred.
To counter the growing intolerance and vile displays of hatred towards them, Hindus gathered around the ruins of Hindu temples after desecration and vandalism. They expressed their anger and fear over the violence. Tapan Kumar Ghosh, General Secretary of the District Puja Celebration Parishad visited the temples along with the local Hindus. Police had to be stationed at every temple site, as those who visited them risked being attacked. After witnessing the rampage at the Haribasar temple in Sindurpindi, Ghosh exclaimed: “This temple is big and traditional. Many people visit this place regularly. All the idols here have been demolished. It’s sad and scary.”
Interestingly, Thakurgaon district got its name from the Hindu community Thakur. A large Brahmin community once lived in this area during the rule of Maithil Brahmins and Bengali Brahmins. The former Hindu-majority district shares its border with India. Formerly known as the abode of the Thakurs, Thakurgaon district today stands as yet another blighted land with ruins of multiple Hindu temples scattered around, shattering its sanctity and piety.