Protests rock Dhaka after Hindu man arrested for building 81-ft Lord Ram statue
Minority groups in Bangladesh protested the arrest of a Hindu man, Haridas Chandra Tarani Das, alleging that money laundering charges were fabricated to prevent the construction of a large Lord Ram statue. Protesters claim this is part of a broader pattern of persecution against religious minorities in the country.
Why it matters
The incident underscores rising communal tensions and concerns regarding the treatment of religious minorities in Bangladesh.
Minority leaders in Bangladesh on Saturday staged a large protest outside the National press club in Dhaka, condemning the arrest of a young Hindu man, Haridas Chandra Tarani Das, and alleging that the money laundering charges against him were fabricated to stop the construction of an 81-foot Lord Ram statue in Gaibandha district.The demonstration, organised by the Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian unity council, brought together leaders from the Hindu, Buddhist and Christian communities, who accused the authorities of targeting religious minorities and demanded Das' immediate release.Speaking to ANI, Manindra Kumar Nath, general secretary of the Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council, strongly criticised the arrest. "Today, Bangladesh Hindu Buddha Krishnalok Tabarishad organised a demonstration against the arrest of Haridas Chandra Tarani Das. Haridas Chandra Tarani Das was arrested by the government some two or three days ago over the claim that he built a Ram Chandra Devata, Ram Chandra statue in Palashbari.
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