ISKCON Dhaka Temple Fire: Deities of Sri Sri Laxmi Narayan Destroyed

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) reported on Saturday that its Dhaka district center in Bangladesh was set on fire earlier that day.

ISKCON Kolkata vice president Radharamn Das told PTI that the targeted attack on the Vaishnavite community is going on, as “vandals set ablaze idols inside the temple at the Namhatta property.” Das posted on X saying, “ISKCON Namhatta Centre burned down in Bangladesh. The deities of Sri Sri Laxmi Narayan and all items inside the temple were burned down completely. The centre is located in Dhaka. Early morning today, between 2-3 AM, miscreants set fire to the Shri Shri Radha Krishna Temple and the Shri Shri Mahabhagya Lakshmi Narayan Temple, which fall under the Hare Krishna Namhatta Sangha, located in Dhour village, under the jurisdiction of Turag Police Station, Dhaka district.

It added that the fire was ignited by lifting the tin roof at the back of the temple and using petrol or octane, giving the address: H-02, R-05, Ward-54.

Das also said that despite ISKCON’s efforts to alert Bangladesh’s interim government, the police and administration have done little to address their concerns. “Iskcon India has expressed concern about the safety of Hindus in Bangladesh and urged its monks and followers from Bangladesh not to wear ’tilaks’ and practice their faith discreetly. The targeted attacks continue,” he said.

Moreover, Das expressed his worry regarding the safety of the leading Hindu community figure Chinmoy Krishna Das who is detained and refused bail. He condemned the ongoing violent attacks, targeting ISKCON properties in Bangladesh over four months since the installation of an interim government and the departure of the Awami League.

BJP leader and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar condemned the attack on ISKCON Namhatta Centre through X: “Strongly condemn the horrific arson attack on the #ISKCON Namhatta Centre in Dhaka, Bangladesh, which destroyed the Deities of Sri Sri Laxmi Narayan and sacred temple items.” Majumdar termed the occurrence as “an unforgivable act of hatred against a place of worship” while demanding action against the aggressors and ensuring security for religious minority groups.