'Not A Single Temple Destroyed,' Says Bangladesh Foreign Minister On Communal Violence

Perpetrators have been arrested and are under police custody, informed Bangladesh foreign minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and added that 20 houses were burned down which have now been rebuilt

New Delhi: Clarifying on the recent violence incidents, Bangladesh foreign minister Dr AK Abdul Momen issued a statement noting that no one was raped and not a single Hindu temple was destroyed in the country during the communal violence.

The minister added that contrary to all ongoing propaganda, only six people died during recent violence of which four were Muslims, killed during encounters with law enforcing authorities and two were Hindus.

"2 were Hindus, one of whom had normal death and another when he jumped in a pond. None was raped and not a single temple was destroyed. However, deities or goddesses were vandalized. While the violence was unfortunate and should not have happened, the government took immediate action,” Momen said, according to news agency ANI.

Saying that the perpetrators have been arrested and are under police custody, Momen added 20 houses were burned down which have now been rebuilt. Also, he mentioned that everyone got compensation and more compensation is underway.

Hitting out at ‘few enthusiastic media’ and individuals for spreading ‘cooked-up stories’, the minister said that it was done to embarrass the government that is committed to religious harmony. The minister also pointed out the fact that in recent years, the number of Puja mandaps has increased admirably in every place in Bangladesh as the government pays money for them.

Calling the main accused Iqbal Hossain, a drug addict, who left a copy of the Holy Quran near the foot of a deity, the minister said that the government is committed to handing out justice to every wrongdoer and to save all its citizens irrespective of their faiths.

The law enforcement agencies are investigating the matter, he added.

This statement has been issued after Bangladesh information and broadcasting minister M Hasan Mahmud said that elements close to Pakistan who had opposed the 1971 liberation war want to create communal disharmony in his country. The minister also blamed former President, Gen. Hussain Muhammad Ershad for bringing religion into the Constitution which was secular in character, to begin with.