Daijiworld Media Network - Dhaka
Dhaka, Sep 21: A Goddess Kali idol, gold ornaments and several other religious artefacts were stolen from the Uttar Kalibari Temple in Faridpur city, amid concerns over the safety of Hindu places of worship in Bangladesh, local media reported on Monday, citing temple authorities.
According to the temple management committee, the theft took place between around 10.30 p.m. on Saturday and 5.45 a.m. on Sunday.
The stolen items included the Goddess Kali idol adorned with around 7-8 tolas of gold ornaments, small brass idols of Lord Vishnu, Radha-Krishna and Manasa, and a silver snake weighing around 8-10 tolas that was wrapped around a Shiva Linga, The Daily Star reported.
Temple priest Debi Prasad Chakraborty said the Kali idol had been placed on a white-marble idol of Lord Shiva.
“The white-marble Shiva idol was left behind, while the unknown thief or thieves took away the Kali idol,” he said.
According to the priest, the entire structure weighed around 40 kg, with the Kali idol alone weighing at least 20 kg.
Kushal Chakraborty, president of the temple management committee, said the CCTV cameras at the temple were not functioning. The stolen items had also not been recovered.
Confirming the incident, Officer-in-Charge Mahmudul Hasan said several police teams had begun efforts to identify and arrest those involved in the theft, The Daily Star reported.
The incident comes amid allegations and reports of attacks targeting Hindu temples and minority communities in Bangladesh.
Earlier this month, the Awami League, recalling the BNP-Jamaat-e-Islami alliance government’s five-year rule from 2001 to 2006, alleged that the persecution of minority communities during that period was being witnessed again in 2026.
“Attacks on temples, homes being set on fire, land grabbing, brutal sexual violence against women, and countless Hindus being forced to leave Bangladesh. That picture is appearing before our eyes again today, in 2026,” the party said.
In a separate statement, the Awami League alleged that religious minorities had faced discrimination and persecution across Bangladesh since August 2024, including job dismissals, denial of promotions, restrictions on government employment and alleged seizure of homes, land and businesses.
Citing the recent killing of retired Hindu teacher Ganapati Chakraborty and his family in Rangpur city, the party alleged that the response of the ruling BNP government reflected what it described as a wider pattern of persecution of religious minorities continuing from the period of the previous interim government.
“It is extremely unfortunate that since August 5, 2024, religious minorities across the country have faced dismissals from employment, denial of promotions, undeclared restrictions on entering government service, and various forms of oppression and persecution, including the seizure of homes, land, and businesses,” the Awami League said.