ISKCON temple & idols set on fire in Bangladesh amid violent protests

An ISKCON temple in Meherpur, located in Bangladesh’s Khulna division, was vandalized and set on fire as unrest continues to sweep the country following the resignation and departure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. This attack is part of a broader wave of violence that has targeted multiple Hindu temples across Bangladesh in the last 24 hours.

ISKCON spokesperson Yudhistir Govinda Das confirmed the incident, stating, "As per the info I have received, one of our ISKCON centers (rented) in Meherpur was burnt including with the deities of Lord Jagannath, Baladev, and Subhadra Devi. Three devotees who lived in the center somehow managed to escape & survived."

The situation for religious minorities in Bangladesh has grown increasingly precarious in the wake of Hasina’s ouster, with Hindu temples facing attacks amid the ongoing unrest. Kajol Debnath, leader of the Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, said that at least four Hindu temples were targeted on Monday and suffered minor damages.

In addition to the temple attacks, an Indian cultural center in Dhaka was also vandalized by an unruly mob. The Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre, which promotes cultural exchange between India and Bangladesh, was damaged by the violence. The broader wave of unrest highlights the increasing vulnerability of religious minorities in Bangladesh.