The government on Friday clarified that the removal of a makeshift temple in Dhaka's Khilkhet area was carried out following due process to recover public land, urging all to "refrain from reacting on any matter disregarding the facts and ground realities," reports BSS.
"Attention of the Government of Bangladesh has been drawn to media reports alleging the destruction of a Durga temple at Khilkhet area in Dhaka," the foreign ministry said in a statement, addressing concerns circulated in some quarters.
Clarifying the background, the statement noted that during Durga Puja last year, the local Hindu community installed a makeshift Puja Mandap on a piece of land "that is undisputedly owned by Bangladesh Railways" without prior permission.
Later, Bangladesh Railways extended conditional permission with an understanding that the structure would be removed once the festival concluded.
"Regrettably, after the Puja was over in October 2024, the organisers declined to remove the makeshift Mandap, violating the mutual agreement; rather, they established a 'Maha Kali' (Kali Murti) there," the statement said.
Despite repeated reminders, the organisers attempted to make the temporary structure permanent, disregarding their agreement with the authorities, the government noted.
In December 2024, Bangladesh Railways consulted local community representatives and the Mandap organizers and issued a public notification instructing the removal of all unauthorized structures-including shops, vendor stalls, and party offices-built along either side of the rail tracks.
The land, stretching 200 feet east of the existing railway line, is required for the "Construction of 3rd & 4th DG line in Dhaka-Tongi section and Doubling of Dual Gauge line in Tongi-Joydebpur section of Bangladesh Railway," a critical infrastructure project, the government said.
"Over the past months, repeated reminders to the illegal land occupiers went unheeded. On 24th and 25th June, Bangladesh Railways finally asked all to remove all the unauthorised installations, including the Puja organisers to remove the temporarily built Mandap," the statement read.
"Finally, on 26th June, following due process, Bangladesh Railways proceeded to the peaceful eviction of all unauthorised structures along the rail track in Khilkhet area," it added.
During the eviction, "the idol of the makeshift Mandap was immersed in the nearby Balu River, in due reverence, with the participation of the members of the local Hindu community," ensuring respect for religious sentiments.
The government emphasised that "the removal of unauthorised structures to recover government land is a regular and lawful administrative activity," adding that while the laws of Bangladesh ensure the protection of all places of worship, "it is not permissible for any to build any religious structure encroaching public land under any circumstances."
"The organisers of the makeshift Mandap exploited the trust and goodwill of the Railway authorities by violating their agreement," the statement observed.
"Bangladesh remains firmly committed to safeguarding the rights of all communities, including protection of the places of worship. Nothing has ever constrained Bangladesh to uphold its syncretic tradition where every citizen can - and does - live and prosper freely irrespective of one's faith or belief, in an inclusive and open society," read the statement.
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