The demonstrators took out a large march with torches (ANI)
Hindu groups in Dhaka on Friday staged a major protest against the alleged desecration of Lord Ram’s image in northern Bangladesh.The demonstrators demanded the arrest of those responsible and carried out a large march with torches, chanting “Jai Shri Ram.”
The image was allegedly vandalized during a demonstration in Gaibandha district by a group of radical Islamists who oppose the construction of what is scheduled 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 Palachbari in Gaibandha. The proposed project, estimated to cost around BDT 22 crore (about Rs 15.6 crore), also includes a 50-feet-tall statue of Lord Krishna and a 30-feet-tall statue of Lord Shiva.According to Haridas Chandra Das, head of the Sri Sri Radha Govinda Temple Committee responsible for the project, the construction of the statue was temporarily halted after “threats” from Islamic groups against those involved in the project.Das said “fear” among organizers was one of the main reasons why work was halted, and appealed to Bangladeshi authorities, including Prime Minister Tariq Rahman, to ensure the project is completed safely.
The temple authorities claim that Islamic groups have created obstacles since the beginning of construction work, prompting them to temporarily halt the project in order to “maintain social harmony.”Numbering about 1.3 lakh crore Hindus, they are the largest religious minority in Bangladesh, making up just under 8% of the country’s population of over 17 lakh crore.
