In a shocking incident, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has reported that its Namhatta Centre in Dhaka district, Bangladesh, was set on fire in a premeditated attack during the early hours of Saturday. According to ISKCON officials, the attack not only caused extensive damage to the temple premises but also destroyed sacred idols and religious artifacts.
Radharamn Das, vice president of ISKCON Kolkata, described the incident as a “targeted assault” on the Vaishnavite community and its faith. “Another ISKCON Namhatta Centre burned down in Bangladesh. Early morning today, between 2-3 AM, miscreants set fire to the Shri Shri Radha Krishna Temple and the Shri Shri Mahabhagya Lakshmi Narayan Temple, which fall under the Hare Krishna Namhatta Sangha, located in Dhour village, under then jurisdiction of Turag Police Station, Dhaka district,” Das said in a social media post.
Another ISKCON Namhatta Centre burned down in Bangladesh. The Deities of Sri Sri Laxmi Narayan and all items inside the temple, were burned down completely . The center is located in Dhaka. Early morning today, between 2-3 AM, miscreants set fire to the Shri Shri Radha Krishna… pic.twitter.com/kDPilLBWHK
— Radharamn Das राधारमण दास (@RadharamnDas) December 7, 2024
The ISKCON Namhatta Centre, which falls under the jurisdiction of Turag Police Station in Dhour village, was reportedly attacked between 2 and 3 am. Das alleged that despite repeated appeals to the interim government in Bangladesh for protection, little has been done to prevent such assaults on minority Hindu communities.
Adding to these concerns, Das highlighted the plight of Hindu community leader Chinmoy Krishna Das, who remains in custody without bail amid rising violence. ISKCON has urged its monks and followers in Bangladesh to practice their faith discreetly and avoid wearing visible religious symbols like tilaks to minimize the risk of harm.
West Bengal BJP president and Union minister Sukanta Majumdar condemned the attack calling it “horrific” and “unforgivable.” In a social media statement, Majumdar said, “Strongly condemn the horrific arson attack on the #ISKCON Namhatta Centre in Dhaka, Bangladesh, which destroyed the Deities of Sri Sri Laxmi Narayan and sacred temple items. This is an unforgivable act of hatred against a place of worship. Immediate action must be taken to bring the culprits to justice and ensure the safety of religious minorities”
Strongly condemn the horrific arson attack on the #ISKCON Namhatta Centre in Dhaka, Bangladesh, which destroyed the Deities of Sri Sri Laxmi Narayan and sacred temple items. This is an unforgivable act of hatred against a place of worship. Immediate action must be taken to bring… pic.twitter.com/DXtetKnmBZ
— Dr. Sukanta Majumdar (@DrSukantaBJP) December 7, 2024
