Delhi assertions about hits on Hindus 'uncalled for': Dhaka

DHAKA: Bangladesh 's interim govt criticised New Delhi Monday for what it said were "uncalled-for assertions" about attacks on Hindus and desecration of shrines and idols on its soil, saying only a handful of such instances had been reported and that other allegations about targeted attacks had been found to be "baseless".

It said every complaint about Hindus and other minorities coming under attack anywhere in Bangladesh had always elicited appropriate corrective action from the authorities.

Dhaka's rejoinder coincided with unidentified assailants hurling bricks from the rooftop of Old Dhaka's Nur Super Market at a procession headed for immersion of Durga Puja idols. The attack triggered a backlash from Hindus, causing police to requisition a military unit to disperse the crowd.

Dhaka's rejoinder was to an Oct 12 statement by a spokesperson for India's external affairs ministry about "a systemic pattern of desecration and damage to temples and deities", including the theft of a gold-plated crown that PM Modi had gifted to Satkhira's Jeshoreshwari Kali temple during his 2021 visit.

" Communal harmony and peaceful coexistence remain a time-honoured feature of liberalism and democracy in Bangladesh that unites all people," the ministry of foreign affairs said. "Govt attests in strongest terms that every individual, regardless of his/her faith, religion or belief, has the right to establish, maintain or perform respective religious rituals or practices... This was vindicated by peaceful observance of Durga Puja in over 32,000 mandaps..."

On the theft of the crown, it said an investigation was underway to determine why the head priest and other temple staff "left such a precious possession unguarded".