The government has ruled out the Indian allegation of damaging temples and deities in Bangladesh during Durga puja terming those as baseless. 

“The Government of Bangladesh finds such allegations baseless and assertions uncalled for,” the foreign ministry said in a statement on Monday. 

It said that Bangladesh’s interim government would like to reassure the international community that it continues to do its best to uphold the long standing secular and inclusive credentials of the people of Bangladesh.

The foreign ministry said, attention of the Bangladesh government has been drawn to a statement made by spokesman of the Ministry of External Affairs of India on October 12, 2024 calling upon “..the Government of Bangladesh to ensure safety and security of Hindus and all minorities and their places of worship, especially during this auspicious festival time.” 

“The same statement also alleges “…a systemic pattern of desecration and damage to temples and deities…”.” read the foreign ministry statement. 

The foreign ministry said that there were just handful incidents reported on which the government authorities acted promptly in ensuring safety and security of Hindus and other minorities throughout the festival times.  

Communal harmony and peaceful coexistence remains a time-honoured feature of liberalism and democracy in Bangladesh uniting all people, it said. 

The statement said Bangladesh government attested in strongest terms that every individual regardless of his/her faith, religion or belief has the right to establish, maintain or perform respective religious rituals or practices, without any hindrance.

 This was vindicated by peaceful observance of Durga Puja in over 32,000 Puja Mandaps that were spontaneously set up across Bangladesh.

On the reported theft of a golden crown at the Jeshoreshwari Kali temple in the Southern Bangladesh district of Satkhira on October 10, 2024, it had been confirmed that the head priest performed his regular puja rites until 2:30 PM till which time the crown was intact inside the temple.

 “Investigations are underway to determine as to why the priest and temple staff left such a precious possession unguarded and insecure,” read the statement. 

Four individuals have already been arrested in connection with the theft case, the statement said adding that ensuring safety and security of all citizens, particularly the members of religious minorities in Bangladesh, remains a duty of the Government of Bangladesh.

“Upholding the rights of every citizen regardless of one’s identity, religion or faith must be recognized as an internal affair of Bangladesh,” it said.