Dhaka, June 16 — Hindu students at the University of Dhaka staged a torch-lit protest on Monday evening, demanding the swift arrest and punishment of those responsible for the alleged desecration of an image of Lord Ram and the resumption of a halted Ram idol project in northern Bangladesh.
The demonstration, organized by students of Jagannath Hall, began around 7:30 p.m. with a torch procession from the hall premises and concluded with a rally at the foot of the Raju Memorial Sculpture, one of the university’s most prominent protest venues.
Demonstrators demanded the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of those responsible for the alleged desecration of Lord Ram’s image. They also called on authorities to allow the resumption of construction work on a large Ram idol project in Gaibandha’s Palashbari Upazila, which was recently suspended amid mounting opposition from Islamist groups.
Students condemn attack on Hindu religious sentiments
Addressing the gathering, Ram Prasad Saha Topu, Social Welfare Secretary of the Jagannath Hall Students’ Union, said the incident had deeply wounded the religious sentiments of Hindu devotees.
“Lord Ram is one of the most revered figures among the ten principal avatars in Hindu tradition. Recently, one extremist group spread rumors about Lord Ram, and then another extremist group desecrated the image of our revered deity,” he said.
“Through this act, the religious feelings of the Sanatan community have been hurt. We want people of all faiths and backgrounds to live together in this country. But a group is trying to divide society. That force must be resisted.”
Dipjoy Sarkar Dipta, Assistant General Secretary of the Jagannath Hall Students’ Union, alleged that repeated attacks on religious minorities in recent years had largely gone unpunished.
“Over the last two years, numerous attacks have taken place against minorities in the name of religious insult. Many cases were filed, but none has seen justice. We have even seen the accused in the Dipu Chandra Das murder case receive bail publicly. Yet when Hindu religious sentiments are attacked, there is no justice,” he said.
Sudipta Pramanik, General Secretary of the Jagannath Hall Students’ Union, said successive governments had repeatedly promised to protect minorities but failed to fulfill those commitments.
“We demand that those responsible for this desecration be arrested immediately and brought to justice. The government must also ensure that such incidents do not happen again,” he said.
He warned that larger demonstrations could follow if authorities failed to take swift action.
Ram idol project suspended after Islamist opposition
The protest was triggered by recent developments in Gaibandha’s Palashbari Upazila, where construction of a large Ram idol was suspended following sustained opposition from Islamist groups.
The idol was being constructed inside the premises of the Sri Sri Radha Govinda and Kali Temple in Middle Ramchandrapur village. Temple authorities said the structure would become the largest Ram idol in Bangladesh and one of the largest of its kind in the region.
Initial construction work had already begun when details of the project became public. Islamist organizations subsequently launched campaigns against the initiative on social media and organized a series of protests demanding that construction be halted. Several groups later escalated their opposition through press conferences, demonstrations and public ultimatums.
Amid growing tensions, temple authorities announced on Thursday that construction work would be suspended.
At a press conference held at the temple premises, temple committee adviser Shyamal Kumar Mahanta said the decision had been taken in the interest of communal harmony.
“We have taken this decision out of respect for religious harmony and mutual coexistence,” he said.
Mahanta added that the Hindu community would discuss the matter further before deciding on future steps.
“We are Bengalis. We believe in maintaining cordial relations with people of all faiths. Future decisions will be taken after consultations with members of the Sanatan community. However, the temple’s regular religious and social activities will continue.”
Temple committee General Secretary Bipin Chandra Barman, Joint General Secretary Subhash Chandra Barman and temple organizer Haridas Chandra Tarani Das were also present at the press conference.
Imam-Olama Parishad demands removal of project
Opposition to the project has been led by Imam-Olama Parishad, which organized separate press conferences in Gaibandha and Palashbari demanding the complete cancellation of the idol project and the removal of the partially constructed structure.
In a written statement, district secretary Mufti Mansur Rahman Khan said the proposed structure was being promoted as one of the world’s largest Ram idols and had generated concern among sections of the local population.
He argued that such a large project could create social instability and communal tensions in the region and called for investigations into its funding sources, financial transactions and possible foreign involvement.
The organization submitted an eight-point memorandum to authorities demanding investigations into the project’s financing, expenditure, organizational links and any domestic or international entities associated with it.
Its demands include a complete halt to the project, scrutiny of financial transactions and bank accounts linked to organizers, investigations into alleged foreign involvement and assessments of any potential impact on national security and social stability.
72-hour ultimatum
Following Friday prayers, local leaders of Imam-Olama Parishad staged a human-chain demonstration along the Dhaka-Rangpur Highway at Palashbari’s Charmatha intersection.
Speakers warned that larger protest programs would be announced unless the Ram idol project was removed within 72 hours and authorities investigated the motives behind its construction.
The event was attended by local leaders of Imam-Olama Parishad, Hefazat-e-Islam and Jamaat-e-Islami.
Heightened security
Fearing possible unrest, authorities deployed additional law enforcement personnel in several parts of Palashbari, including Charmatha intersection, Komorpur intersection and Hasbari areas.
Local officials said security measures had been strengthened to prevent any untoward incidents and maintain law and order.
Project reignites concerns over minority religious rights
The developments in Gaibandha have once again brought concerns over religious freedom and minority rights in Bangladesh into sharp focus.
For many members of the Hindu community, the suspension of the Ram idol project following organized opposition has raised fresh questions about whether minorities can freely express their religious identity without intimidation.
Student leaders at Dhaka University argued that the issue extends beyond a single construction project or a single act of alleged desecration. They said it reflects broader concerns about the protection of minority communities, equal application of justice and the state’s commitment to safeguarding the religious rights of all citizens.
For many members of Bangladesh’s Hindu community, the dispute has become a broader test of whether religious minorities can freely practice and publicly express their faith without intimidation. Protesters at Dhaka University said they would continue their movement until those responsible for the alleged desecration are punished and construction of the Ram idol project is allowed to resume.
