UK Hindu groups condemn violence against temples in Bangladesh

Hindu groups in the UK have united to condemn the “senseless” violence erupting in Bangladesh, where Hindu temples across the country have been attacked during the holy festival of Navratri, leading to two deaths, countless injured and deities desecrated.

The International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), which represents one of the largest Hindu congregation groups in the UK, has universally denounced the violence and has called for action from the UK government to condemn these acts of violence and seek reassurance from the Bangladeshi High Commission that action will be taken against those responsible. It organised a protest march over the weekend, which commenced at the Bangaldesh High Commission in London.

His Grace Praghosa Das, UK Chairman for ISKCON UK said: “Hindus across the UK unanimously condemn these senseless attacks on innocent worshippers, particularly during the holy festival of Navratri – which is traditionally seen as a time where good triumphs over evil.

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“Those who have perpetrated this cowardly act of terrorism must be brought to justice – today we implore the UK government to stand by its Hindu community in the UK and condemn these acts of violence, and seek reassurance from the Bangladeshi High Commission that action will be taken against those responsible.”

One of the organisers of the weekend march, Radha Damodar, said ahead of the protest that they will be laying flowers and light candles in memory for those who were killed in the violence.

“We shall be praying for peace, and those that have lost their lives in these senseless attacks,” said Radha Damodar.

British Hindu groups will also be writing to the Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Home Secretary Priti Patel, and Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and Bangladeshi High Commissioner Saida Muna Tasneem to raise awareness about the attacks and call for justice for the victims.

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Over the last few weeks, reports have emerged from Bangladesh of temples being desecrated and hundreds of houses and businesses of the Hindu minority communities being torched in different parts of the country. According to reports, seven people were killed and many more injured in days of violence.

Hindus constitute around 9 per cent of Bangladesh's population and community leaders believe these recent attacks are among the worst against the community in the country's history.