15 Hindu temples vandalised over ‘Anti Islamic’ FB posts in Bangladesh

15 Hindu temples vandalised over ‘Anti Islamic’ FB posts in Bangladesh

Dhaka, November 2, 2016: A local Hindu fisherman allegedly posted an edited photo on Facebook of a Hindu deity inside the black cube-shaped Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia which triggered panic among the minority community in the Muslim-majority nation. At least 15 Hindu temples in Bangladesh have been vandalized over allegations of disrespect shown to Islam on Facebook.

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On Sunday, temples in Brahmanbarhia district's Nasirnagar were vandalized and more than 100 Hindu houses were looted. Two temples in Madhabpur in the neighboring Habiganj district were also attacked, police and witnesses said.

Two Islamist groups had been demonstrating to demand the arrest and execution of the fisherman when a group of between 100 to 150 men broke away and attacked the temples said District police chief Mizanur Rahman.

According to AFP report, Police had arrested six men in connection with the violence and a 30-year-old Hindu fisherman for the Facebook post. He'll be charged with breaching internet laws.

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Paramilitary Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) have been deployed in Nasirnagar and Madhabpur Upazila headquarters along with the Rapid Action Battalion, police and Armed Police Battalion, bdnews24.com reported.

The leaders of the local Hindu community said at least 15 temples were vandalised and numerous Hindu idols were destroyed during the hour-long rampage. Several priests were also injured during the attack. The incidents have sparked fears among the local Hindu community.

Protests against the Facebook post were called under the banner of 'Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat' in Habiganj district headquarters and Nasirnagar. Demonstrations were also announced in Habiganj's Madhabpur.

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Buddhist monasteries, houses and shops in the Cox's Bazar were attacked in same manner in 2012 on a similar allegation of disrespect towards Islam through a Facebook post.

Mizanur, quoting witnesses, said a group of the demonstrators, armed with local weapons, vandalized the temples at Duttubarhi, Namashudraparha and Ghoshparha, and Jagannath Temple and Goura Temple.

by NewsGram team

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