Bangladesh: 'We Are Still Scared...Police Supported Them,' Says ISKCON Temple Eyewitness

Rasmani Keshavdas said that even after making a police complaint, minimal security of 10 Police personnel has been provided.

File Photo: Diptendu DUTTA / AFP

New Delhi: A day after a mob of around 200 people allegedly vandalised the ISKCON Radhakanta temple in Bangladesh's capital city Dhaka, an eyewitness Rasmani Keshavdas said that even after making a police complaint, minimal security of 10 Police personnel has been provided.

"We are still scared, though. Through you, we request your Government to help us. Our PM is also trying to help us. We request both PMs to help us," Rasmani Keshavdas was quoted by ANI on its official Twitter handle.

We were given a little security after making a Police complaint. Right now, 10 Police personnel are deployed here. We are still scared, though. Through you, we request your Government to help us. Our PM is also trying to help us. We request both PMs to help us: Rasmani Keshavdas pic.twitter.com/SNiYR5Di3V

— ANI (@ANI) March 19, 2022

While talking to the media, the eyewitness names Haji Shafiullah, the man threatening them to leave the temple for years. "He had offered us money too. One of his men, Ishraf Sufi had given us life threats," he further said.

"That day these two, along with 500-600 people, vandalised the temple's wall. Two of our people were hit when they tried to stop the mob. They behaved the same even before Police," he further said.

Accusing police supporting the mob, the eyewitness said, "Police supported them. They didn't want to listen to us. They asked us to leave the temple but it's ours. No arrests yet. Two of our people hospitalised, their condition is slightly better. Goons are still threatening us that they'll kill us if someone meets us."

According to purported reports, a mob stormed the ISKON Radhakanta temple located in Dhaka Bangladesh at around 7 pm on Thursday. This temple is situated at 222, Lal Mohan Saha Street in Wari, Dhaka.

According to unconfirmed reports, more than 200 individuals forced their way into the shrine and began vandalising it. The temple is also said to have been plundered by the crowd.

According to the Vice President of ISKCON Kolkata, three persons were hurt in the event, and reports indicate that those present in the temple were beaten up.

This tragedy occurs despite the Bangladesh government's assurances about the minority community's safety.

On October 16, last year, an ISKCON temple in Noakhali, Bangladesh, was vandalised, and a devotee was slain by a mob.

Communal confrontations erupted in Bangladesh on October 13 following reports that the Quran was disrespected at a puja pavilion in Cumilla. The rumours sparked rioting in a number of areas across the country.

(With ANI Inputs)