Hindu Temples And Communities Targeted Amid Bangladesh Unrest Following Sheikh Hasina's Ouster

In a devastating attack, idols of Bhagwan Jagannath, Balbhadra, and Devi Subhadra lay on the floor of a burnt temple in Bangladesh. The Hindu community rushed to the temple after it was vandalized, looted, and set on fire by a mob marching to Dhaka to oust then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. These images symbolize the systematic targeting of minority Hindus in Bangladesh since Hasina's ouster. The Daily Star reported widespread violence against Hindus in 27 districts. External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar informed India's Parliament about the targeting of Hindu businesses and temples. Local Hindus live in fear, with reports of armed mobs singling out Hindu homes, businesses, and temples. A priest at the ISKCON temple mentioned that despite reaching out to the police and the Rapid Action Battalion, no help arrived. Hindu women fear for their safety, with some considering seeking refuge in India. Political leaders in Bengal, including Suvendu Adhikari, have raised concerns about the plight of Hindus in Bangladesh, urging India to prepare to provide refuge. Radical Islamists have also targeted the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre in Dhaka, indicating a sustained effort to target Hindus and Indian interests in Bangladesh.