Dhaka, September 21, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
A Goddess Kali idol, gold ornaments and several religious artefacts were reportedly stolen from Uttar Kalibari Temple in Faridpur city, raising fresh concerns over the security of Hindu places of worship in Bangladesh.
According to local media reports citing temple authorities, the theft took place between around 10:30 p.m. on Saturday and 5:45 a.m. on Sunday.
The stolen items included the Goddess Kali idol, around 7–8 tolas of gold ornaments adorning it, small brass idols of Lord Vishnu, Radha-Krishna and Manasa, and a silver snake weighing approximately 8–10 tolas that had been wrapped around a Shiva Linga, The Daily Star reported.
Temple priest Debi Prasad Chakraborty said the Kali idol was placed on a white-marble idol of Shiva.
“The white-marble Shiva idol was left behind, while the unknown thief or thieves took away the Kali idol,” he said, adding that the entire structure weighed around 40 kg, with the Kali idol alone weighing at least 20 kg.
Kushal Chakraborty, president of the temple management committee, said the CCTV cameras at the temple were not functioning and the stolen items had not yet been recovered.
Officer-in-Charge Mahmudul Hasan confirmed the incident and said several police teams had begun efforts to identify and arrest those involved in the theft, The Daily Star reported.
The incident comes amid allegations of attacks and discrimination against Hindu and other minority communities in Bangladesh.
Earlier this month, the Awami League alleged that the persecution of minorities witnessed during the BNP-Jamaat-e-Islami alliance government between 2001 and 2006 was resurfacing in 2026.
The party alleged that attacks on temples, arson targeting homes, land grabbing and violence against women were among the concerns facing minorities.
In a separate statement, the Awami League alleged that religious minorities had faced discrimination and persecution since August 2024, including job dismissals, denial of promotions, restrictions on government employment and alleged seizures of homes, land and businesses.
The party also cited the reported killing of retired Hindu teacher Ganapati Chakraborty and his family in Rangpur city as an example of what it described as continuing insecurity among religious minorities.
FOLLOW NOW
