In a chilling incident that has sent shockwaves through the community, the lifeless body of a female Hindu priest was unearthed at the Malibata Bishwabandhu Sevashram in the Gopalganj district of Dhaka Division, Bangladesh, on Sunday, March 3.
The victim, identified as 70-year-old Hashilata Biswas, had reportedly spent the night at the temple premises on Saturday, March 2. When locals arrived the following morning, they were greeted by open doors, leading to the grim discovery of Biswas’s body. She was found with her mouth and hands bound by ropes, indicating a sinister turn of events.
Preliminary investigations suggest that Biswas fell victim to a violent theft, as evidenced by the broken cupboard and looted donation box within the sacred confines of the Malibata Bishwabandhu Sevashram.
Biswas had been diligently conducting religious ceremonies at the Sevashram for the past year, following in the footsteps of her late husband, Dipin Biswas, who had served in a similar capacity for a decade prior.
Mohammad Anichur Rahman, Officer-in-Charge of the Sadar Police Station, expressed swift action upon receiving the distressing news. “As soon as we got the news, we rushed to the crime scene. Thereafter, we recovered the dead body and sent it for autopsy,” he stated, underscoring the gravity of the situation. “The matter is being seriously investigated. Efforts are underway to identify and arrest the accused.”
The extremists killed the priest (Hasilata Biswas) of Gopalganj Vishwabandhu Sevashram temple. They looted the money and gold ornaments of the temple. Another priest Ranjit Roy was killed in Gopalganj two months ago. pic.twitter.com/7QDKMJhKBv
— Voice of Bangladeshi Hindus 🇧🇩 (@VoiceofHindu71) March 4, 2024
Voices of condemnation echoed throughout the community, with the general secretary of the Malibata Bishwabandhu Sevashram, denouncing the heinous act. “There have been several incidents of theft in this ashram. This time too the culprits may have entered to steal,” they lamented.
Paltu Biswas, President of the Gopalganj District Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Oikya Parishad, echoed these sentiments, emphasising the need for justice. “It seems that the priest was killed after the theft in the temple. We believe that such incidents will be reduced if the culprits are given exemplary punishment.”
Continued Persecution of Hindu Community Highlights Ongoing Concerns
The distressing incident at the Malibata Bishwabandhu Sevashram underscores a broader pattern of targeted violence against the Hindu community in Bangladesh, perpetuating a climate of fear and insecurity.
Since the federal elections on January 7th, tensions have escalated, with reports of arson attacks and communal violence targeting Hindus across various regions, including Faridpur, Sirajganj, Bagerhat, Jhenaidah, Pirojpur, Kushtia, Madaripur, Lalmonirhat, Daudkandi, Thakurgaon, Munshiganj, and Gaibandha.
A damning report by the Bangladeshi newspaper ‘The Daily Ittefaq’ sheds light on the plight of Hindus, who have been subjected to brutal attacks and intimidation tactics. In Daudkandi, Comilla, supporters of the Awami League party viciously assaulted two Hindus, Piplu Saha and Ranjan Saha, at the Begum Amena Sultan Govt. Girls’ High School. Similarly, Hindu supporters of independent candidate AK Azad faced targeted violence in the Faridpur-3 constituency.
The post-election turmoil has left scores injured, with instances of violence continuing unabated. In Boalkhali Upazila, Chittagong, Awami League supporters targeted Hindus, including Suresh Chowdhury and Pankaj Chand, adding to the growing list of victims in the wake of political strife.
As the Hindu community grapples with escalating threats to their safety and well-being, calls for justice and accountability resonate louder than ever, urging authorities to address the root causes of communal tension and ensure the protection of minority rights in Bangladesh.
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