Bangladesh unrest: Hindu temples, Indian cultural centre attacked; Sadhguru urges action to protect minorities

Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, founder of the Isha Foundation, on Wednesday urged the Indian government to take immediate action to safeguard the Hindu community in Bangladesh, which has been plagued by violence and political unrest.

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Vasudev made the comments in the wake of reports of attacks on Hindus in the neighbouring country, currently grappling with the turmoil that has led to the departure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

In a post on X, Sadhguru wrote, “The atrocities being perpetrated against Hindus is not just an internal matter of #Bangladesh. Bharat cannot be Maha-Bharat if we do not stand up and act at the earliest to ensure the safety of minorities in our neighbourhood. What was part of this Nation, unfortunately, became neighbourhood, but it is our responsibility to protect these people -who belong to this Civilization- from these shocking atrocities.”

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Confirming an incident, ISKCON spokesperson Yudhistir Govinda Das said, “As per the info I have received, one of our ISKCON centers (rented) in Meherpur was burnt including with the deities of Lord Jagannath, Baladev, and Subhadra Devi. Three devotees who lived in the center somehow managed to escape & survived (sic).”

Kajol Debnath, leader of the Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, informed PTI that at least four Hindu temples were targeted on Monday, resulting in minor damage. In addition to the attacks on temples, an Indian cultural centre in Dhaka, the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre, which fosters cultural exchange between India and Bangladesh, was also vandalized by an unruly mob. 

Protesters in the capital further escalated the violence by setting fire to several significant locations, including Bangabandhu Bhaban, the personal residence of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father and former President of Bangladesh.

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Several former diplomats and experts have voiced concerns about the situation in Bangladesh, urging the Indian government to remain vigilant. They have warned of a potential large influx of migrants from Bangladesh and raised concerns about possible foreign involvement in the unrest.

The student protests in Bangladesh, which initially sought to end the civil service quota system, escalated into widespread anti-government demonstrations, culminating in the resignation and departure of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. She arrived in India on Monday.

(With inputs from agencies)