OpIndia Exclusive: ISKCON temple desecrated by Islamist mob in Bangladesh, idols vandalised and looted. Here is what we know so far

Dibakar Dutta | 18 March, 2022, https://www.opindia.com/2022/03/bangladesh-iskcon-temple-descreated by-islamist-mob-idols-vandalised-and-looted/amp/

Aftermath of the attack on the ISKCON temple

On Thursday (March 17) night, a frenzied Muslim mob attacked an ISKCON temple, located on Lalmohan Saha Street in Wari in Dhaka Division of Bangladesh. The development was confirmed to Opindia by the administration of the Sri Sri Radhakanta Jiu Mandir.
According to the Hindu American Foundation (HAF), the dastardly attack was orchestrated by one 62-yearold Haji Shafiullah. Under his direction, an Islamist mob of 150-200 people laid siege on the ISKCON
temple. They desecrated the murtis (idol), vandalised the temple premises, looted money and other valuable
items.
As per a report published by India Today, three devotees namely Sumantra Chandra Shravan, Nihar Haldar,
and Rajiv Bhadra were injured during the attack. Popular Twitter handle Voice of Bangladeshi Hindus
shared disturbing visuals that showcase the extent of damange caused to the Sri Sri Radhakanta Jiu Mandir.
“The attack on the Radhakanta ISKCON temple in Dhaka is ongoing. The Devotees informed the police
but the police are not taking any action,” the Twitter handle posted.
The violent mob was heard raising slogans of ‘Allah hu Akbar’.
A video was shared on Twitter by Hindu activist Pandit Pradip Chandra, wherein an injured ISKCON
devotee was heard narrating the details of the attack.
“They (Islamists) forcibly took Nihar (name of the victim) away. I notified the police but they were not
ready to believe me. After pleading with the cops several times, they agreed to look out for Nihar. Earlier,
the cops denied that anyone was even abducted. We were, however, able to find Nihar in the end,” he
recounted.
“While returning, they caught hold of me and snatched my phone. They threw blows at me and injured my
back (He went on to show the scar on his elbow), ” the victim further added.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1504496267585781763

Pandit Pradip Chandra (पण्डित प्रदीप चन्द्र)

A ISKCON devotee is brutally injured and describing how religious fanatics attacke the ISKCON Temple
at Wari Old Dhaka Bangladesh. Today at night another ISKCON temple come under attacked and destoryed
the boundary wall at Wari, Old Dhaka, bangladesh.

Opindia reached out to ISKCON temple in bangladesh

Opindia reached out to the administration of Sri Sri Radhakanta Jiu Mandir in Bangladesh to learn more
about the story. A copy of the audio recording is available with Opindia.
“We are indebted to you for covering our story. If we don’t get your support (referring to the media), then,
it will be impossible for Hindus in Bangladesh to even survive,” a temple official (who refused to be
identified) said.
He informed that the Islamists were eyeing the temple property for a long time and have tried to encroach
upon it in the past. The official said that the temple administartion had previously filed a case against them.
“Yesterday evening, they destroyed the temple wall, and ransacked our property and stole valuable items,”
he informed. The temple official then handed over the phone to one of the victims of the attack, Nihar
Haldar.
                         (A special bulletin on Wari, Dhaka temple attack)