Ensure safety and security of Hindus: India to Bangladesh amid reports of attack on Durga Puja pandal

The Ministry of External Affairs has asked Dhaka to "ensure safety and security of Hindus" and their places of worship.

The MEA said in a statement, "We have noted with serious concern the attack on a Puja mandap in Tantibazar, Dhaka and the theft at the revered Jeshoreshwari Kali temple at Satkhira. These are deplorable events. They follow a systematic pattern of desecration and damage to temples and deities that we have witnessed over several days now."

"We call upon the Government of Bangladesh to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities and their places of worship, especially during this auspicious festival time."

On Friday night, a firebomb was thrown at a pandal in Dhaka's Tantibazar area.

The Goddess Kali crowd, which has been stolen from Jeshoreshwari Kali temple, was gifted by Modi in 2021. The temple is located in Satkhira's Shyamnagar.

As per reports, temple priest Dilip Mukherjee had left the premises after concluding worship for the day.

As caught in the CCTV footage, a man was seen entering into the temple, allegedly stealing the crown and leaving.

After the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government, several Hindu temples were vandalised in Bangladesh.

The minorities have come under heavy attack in the country, which is now run by an interim government headed by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus.