India is deeply disturbed by the reported incident of theft of a religious article from a Mandir in Bangladesh, and has urged Bangladesh law enforcement authorities to investigate the matter, and bring the guilty to book, according to sources.
The sources stated that the High Commission in Dhaka is in touch with Bangladesh authorities regarding the incident.
A crown of the Ma Kali has been stolen from the Jeshoreshwari Mandir in Satkhira’s Shyamnagar. This crown was gifted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the Mandir in March 2021, as reported by The Daily Star.
“BD law enforcement authorities urged to investigate the incident, recover the stolen article and bring the guilty to book,” the sources said.
Meanwhile, the High Commission of India in Bangladesh expressed deep concern and urged the Government of Bangladesh to investigate the theft.
“We have seen reports of theft of the crown gifted by PM Modi to Jeshoreshwari Kali Mandir (Satkhira) in 2021 during his visit to We express deep concern & urge Govt of Bangladesh to investigate theft, recover the crown & take action against the perpetrators,” the High Commission wrote on X.
We have seen reports of theft of the crown gifted by PM Modi to Jeshoreshwari Kali Temple (Satkhira) in 2021 during his visit to 🇧🇩
We express deep concern & urge Govt of Bangladesh to investigate theft, recover the crown & take action against the perpetrators@MEAIndia @BDMOFA
— India in Bangladesh (@ihcdhaka) October 11, 2024
The theft occurred on October 10 between 2.00 pm and 2.30 pm, after Mandir Pujari Dilip Mukherjee left following the day’s worship. The cleaning staff later found that the crown was missing from the deity’s head, as reported by The Daily Star.
“We are reviewing the temple’s CCTV footage to identify the thief,” Inspector Taizul Islam of Shyamnagar Police Station was cited in the Bangladesh Daily.
The stolen crown, made of silver and gold-plated, holds significant cultural and religious importance.
According to Hindu mythology, the Jeshoreshwari Mandir is one of the 51 Shakti Peeths scattered across India and neighbouring countries. The name “Jeshoreshwari” means “Ma of Jeshore.” PM Modi visited the Jeshoreshwari Mandir on March 27, 2021, during his trip to Bangladesh. On that day, he placed the crown on the head of the deity as a symbolic gesture.
(With inputs from ANI)
