Not a single Hindu temple was attacked in past two years: Chief Whip

Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni on Thursday claimed that no attack has taken place on Hindu temples and shrines since the fall of the Awami League authoritarian government in August 2024.

“Gone are the days when temples were targeted in covert attacks and the blame was shifted on others for political as well as ill-motivated gains,” the BNP lawmaker said at the inaugural session of a Rathjatra festival in Dhmarai urban area in Dhaka on Thursday evening.

The chief whip said that during the Awami League’s authoritarian rule, temples used to be burned and idols inside were vandalised during festivals and other times. Some vested quarters did these to reap political benefits.

However, over the past two years not a single such attack took place on these shrines, Nurul Islam Moni said.

Rather, on many occasions, many from the Muslim community stood guard at the temples to foil the attempts of opportunists, the chief whip said.

In his own village, Barguna, Hindus and Rakhines are living peacefully alongside the majority Muslim community. “The politics of creating Hindi-Muslim rift did not succeed,” he added.

Referring to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s recent unifying statement, the chief whip said all the citizens of the country, irrespective of their religious or minority status, would enjoy the same rights.

All must contribute towards rebuilding the country, Nurul Islam Moni further said.