India is very worried about the destruction of a Durga temple in the Khilkhet area of Dhaka, Bangladesh\’s capital, on the evening of June 26, 2025. The Indian High Commissioner in Bangladesh spoke out against the actions of the interim government led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus and how Yunus is losing control over the public. He also said that the government should care more about the rights of minorities.
The problems troubling Bangladesh are made worse by a lack of control over the public, and emboldened extremist groups further threaten the rights of citizenship over the secular identity of the country. For India, this isn’t just a matter of a neighbor’s internal issue—it is a test of regional peace and stability and protection of human rights.
India slams Bangladesh Yunus Government for demolishing Hindu minority Durga temple in capital Dhaka. pic.twitter.com/aTIZ44I0x7
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) June 26, 2025
At a press conference, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, said,
“We have learned that the extremists were shouting for the demolition of the Durga temple in Khilkhet, and the interim government did nothing to provide security but rather called the temple illegal construction and let them demolish it.”
Remains of a Durga Temple in Dhaka, Bangladesh under the supervision of Muhammad Yunus Interim Government. They don’t need Islamist radicals to vandalise Hindu temples, state gives official sanction for targeting minorities. pic.twitter.com/KxjOeK3oHH
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) June 26, 2025
Deity Reportedly Damaged, India \’Dismayed\’
Besides the demolition, reports surfaced that the statue of the deity was damaged prior to being moved. The MEA called the development part of a pattern of attacks on Hindu temples and religious institutions in Bangladesh.
Jaiswal noted, “We are shocked over the fact that such an incident has happened again,” as he demanded accountability from Dhaka.
Concerns Over Rising Religious Extremism
India referenced a deeper issue—the rising threat of religious extremism under the Yunus caretaker government. Officials conveyed that the protection of minority Hindu communities and places of worship, especially during transitional governments, is imperative.
India has requested that the Bangladesh government bring about justice and restore and protect its religious minorities.
Strain on India-Bangladesh Relations
The incident comes at a time when ties between Bangladesh and India are already tenuous since the toppling of former PM Sheikh Hasina in 2024. Trade tensions are rising and water-sharing agreements are stalled, and now this incident creates more diplomatic barriers.
The Indian government has reminded Bangladesh that, while it is willing to engage in dialogue, respecting religious and cultural pluralism is non-negotiable.
What Happens Next?
The demolition of the Durga temple in Dhaka isn’t just a religious one—it represents the beginning of the declining condition of Bangladesh. Attacks on Hindus are becoming fast and furious, demonstrating the abdication of minority rights in the face of increasing extremism. The Bangladesh Army seems to be brushing aside civilian affairs, while the interim government is failing to establish legitimacy. The economy is spiralling downwards, made worse by political instability, compounding already diminished investor confidence and public trust.
