The violent attacks by the Muslim mob, targeting Hindus, Durga pooja pandals and temples in Bangladesh, continued for the fourth day on Friday (October 16).
On Friday, a Muslim mob attacked the ISKCON temple in the Noakhali area and killed one 25-year-old devotee Partha Das. The mob destroyed the temple and many idols on the premises.
"ISKCON temple & devotees were violently attacked today by a mob in Noakhali, Bangladesh. Temple suffered significant damage & the condition of a devotee remains critical.
We call on the Govt of Bangladesh to ensure the safety of all Hindus & bring the perpetrators to justice", ISKCON posted on social media platform Twitter.
It added, "It is with great grief that we share the news of an ISKCON member, Partha Das, who was brutally killed yesterday by a mob of over 200 people. His body was found in a pond next to the temple.
We call on the Govt of Bangladesh for immediate action in this regard."
After the Friday prayers, a group of Muslims held a meeting at the gate of Andarkilla Jummah mosque and then marched towards JM Sen Hall.
The violent attacks by the Muslims had started on Wednesday (October 13) when multiple mobs attacked many pooja pandals. The Islamists justified the anti-Hindu riots on the grounds, saying the devotees desecrated Quran. The Islamists have been using such made-up narratives to justify their violent anti-Hindu riots for years.
In October 1946, following Muslim League's and Jinnah's "Direct Action" call, massive anti-Hindu riots broke in Noakhali in West Bengal (now it's in Bangladesh). In the organised anti-Hindu riots of Noakhali, more than 5000 Hindus were murdered, and many Hindu women were raped. Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, one of the masterminds of the anti-Hindu Noakhali riots, became the prime minister of Pakistan.
The Muslim League and Muhammad Ali Jinnah had given a call for Direct Action Day on August 16, 1946, to demonstrate their power and strengthen a separate Muslim land demand. Lakhs of Hindus were forced to migrate and became homeless overnight. Mahatma Gandhi visited Noakhali in 1946 to calm the tempers but failed.
Mahatma Gandhi had accused Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy of orchestrating the anti-Hindu riots.
In a series of posts on social media, Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal assembly, raised concerns over the violent attacks on Hindus in neighbouring Bangladesh.
"Vandalising temples and Durga Puja pandals in Cumilla district, Cox's Bazar & Noakhali in Bangladesh; following "conspiratorial rumours" spread through social media is disheartening.
Desecrating idols of Maa Durga at will is an orchestrated attack on the Sanatani Bengali community," Adhikari posted on Twitter.
He added, "I urge Hon'ble PM @narendramodi ji, Hon'ble HM @AmitShah ji, Hon'ble EAM @DrSJaishankar ji & Hon'ble Governor of WB @jdhankhar1 ji to take up this painful & shameful issue with the Bangladeshi authorities diplomatically, & support the Sanatani Bengalis in these times of distress."
In his letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Adhikari wrote, "This time the religious fanatics took to the streets to vandalise several Durga pooja pandals and various temples also. Presently the condition of 'Sanatani People' living in Bangladesh is very miserable."
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has vowed action against the Islamists indulging in anti-Hindu violence.
