in Khilkhet, Dhaka, Bangladesh—long a symbol of religious, cultural, and emotional significance for Hindu devotees—was finally demolished by a state decision under Yunus’s government following an ultimatum from extremist Muslims. On Thursday morning (June 26, 2025), the eviction operation was led by the Dhaka Divisional Administration of the Railway, accompanied by a large contingent of police, army personnel, and members of the Tawhidi crowd. The authorities did not even allow time to remove the idol of Goddess Durga. Through this, the interim government under Dr. Yunus has once again proven its patronage of fundamentalism and extremists. Since Yunus came to power, the minority community in Bangladesh has faced extreme persecution.The demolition of the temple has brought intense grief, anger, and a sense of insecurity among the minority Hindu community. Early in the morning, a large number of army personnel from the Purbachal Army Camp entered the temple area along with the police force. They arrived at the temple grounds with bulldozers.To protest, Hindu men and women gathered in front of the temple. Many tearfully pleaded not to destroy the temple. However, the police forced them to leave without heeding any of their requests.During this time, Hindu devotees were unable to remove the idol. Photos and videos spread on social media show the broken Durga idol lying on the roadside. Many Hindu men and women faced obstacles while trying to record videos of the incident.There are also allegations that mobile phones were confiscated. Many people were injured during the law enforcement action. Hindu women were seen in tears as they watched the temple’s destruction.Although made of corrugated tin sheets, this Durga temple in Khilkhet had served as a focal point for Sanatan (Hindu) devotees for almost half a century. Regular worship was held there, and there was also a permanent idol of Goddess Kali. Every year during Durga Puja, the temple grounds would fill with a festive atmosphere. According to locals, the temple was not just a religious structure but had long stood as a symbol of the Hindu community’s cultural identity.On the night of June 24, the temple was first attacked. Under the leadership of Mufti Mahmudul Hasan, owner of Islamia Sweet and Live Bakery, and Abdul Quddus, president of the Khilkhet branch of Jamaat-e-Islami-controlled Sramik Kalyan Federation, the Tawhidi crowd attacked the temple. They tried to vandalize it, hurled obscene insults at the devotees present, and threatened them with death.They also announced that if the temple was not removed by 12 PM the next day, they themselves would demolish it.Shyamal Chandra Das, general secretary of the temple committee, stated that the attackers carried out the assault without any discussion and clearly declared that the temple could no longer remain there. This left local residents in extreme insecurity.The following day, Hindu Mahajote and various Sanatani organizations, along with general Hindu devotees, held a sit-in at the Khilkhet Durga Temple premises. They condemned the attack and demanded the immediate arrest of the attackers. However, as no action was taken by the authorities—and instead, the temple was demolished on their orders—widespread anger erupted among the general public. This incident has raised serious questions about state neutrality and minority safety. While the railway authority termed it an “eviction,” many believe that the swift action following the extremists’ threats suggests this was an instance of persecution of minorities under the patronage of the Yunus government, in collusion with the majority extremist groups. Minority organizations have stated that this incident will remain a dark chapter for Bangladesh in terms of religious tolerance and minority rights.
