An incident highlighting growing hostility towards Hindu religious symbols in Bangladesh: members of radical Islamic groups reportedly organised an anti-Hindu procession in Dhaka on Friday (June 13) following Jumma Namaz.
Videos circulating on social media showed participants carrying banners and chanting slogans during the march. One of the most controversial moments from the procession involved demonstrators attacking a banner carrying the image of Shri Ram with slippers while slogans encouraging others to strike the image could allegedly be heard in the background.
The procession was reportedly attended by activists associated with Islami Chhatra Shibir and Hefazat-e-Islam, two influential Islamist organisations in Bangladesh.
Demand for demolition of Ram murti
The rally was centred around opposition to the construction of a Shri Ram murti in Palashbari Upazila of Gaibandha district in the Rangpur Division.
Participants in the procession demanded that authorities halt the project and demolish the under-construction idol.
The controversy surrounding the idol has been escalating over recent weeks, with several Islamist groups launching campaigns against the project both online and offline.
The murti was being constructed as part of a Hindu religious initiative in the region but soon became the focus of protests by radical elements who objected to its presence.
Social Media campaign against Shri Ram murti
Prior to the procession, social media platforms in Bangladesh witnessed a surge in inflammatory comments targeting the proposed Ram murti.
Several posts described Shri Ram as a symbol of “Hindutva” and called for action against the construction project.
Some users went further, issuing provocative statements and threats linked to the murti’s construction. The online campaign generated concern among members of the Hindu community, who feared that digital incitement could translate into violence on the ground.
Radical preacher issues threats
The controversy intensified after a preacher associated with the Islamist outfit “Insaf Kayemkari Chhatra Sramik Janata” publicly called for the destruction of the Ram murti.
In a widely circulated speech, the preacher demanded that the structure be demolished, warning that if authorities failed to act, ordinary Muslims would take matters into their own hands.
He further claimed that it was the responsibility of Muslims to ensure the murti was removed and reportedly called for the demolition of the temple associated with the project.
The same preacher also made inflammatory remarks concerning India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the concept of Ram Rajya, while issuing provocative statements about future actions against India.
Construction halted amid rising tensions
As tensions mounted and protests intensified, the Hindu temple committee overseeing the project reportedly decided to suspend construction activities.
According to reports, the decision was taken to prevent communal unrest and maintain peace in the area.
Members of the Hindu community have expressed concern that growing pressure from radical groups effectively forced the project to be halted despite it being a legitimate religious initiative.
The development has once again raised concerns about the challenges faced by religious minorities in Bangladesh and the increasing pressure exerted by radical groups on Hindu religious institutions and cultural symbols.
The incident has triggered concern among Hindu groups and minority rights activists, who argue that targeting religious symbols and places of worship threatens communal harmony and undermines the rights of religious minorities.
The attack on Shri Ram’s image during the Dhaka procession and the calls for demolition of the idol have intensified debates about the safety and religious freedoms of Hindus in Bangladesh.
With construction now halted and tensions continuing to simmer, attention is likely to remain focused on whether authorities take action against those issuing threats and whether the Hindu community will be able to resume the project in the future.
