Bangladesh halts construction of massive Lord Ram statue amid alleged extremist pressure

Bangladesh authorities have suspended construction of a giant Lord Ram statue at a temple complex in Gaibandha district, triggering criticism from activists and commentators who allege pressure from Islamist groups and raising fresh concerns about religious freedom and minority rights

Dhaka: Bangladesh authorities have ordered the suspension of the construction of the world’s largest statue of Lord Ram at the Sri Sri Radha Govinda and Kali Temple in Palashbari upazila of Gaibandha district, according to local media reports.

The announcement was made by temple advisor Shyamal Kumar Mahant during a press conference held at the temple auditorium on Thursday evening, Bangladeshi media reported. The decision has sparked strong reactions, with critics alleging that the suspension came under pressure from Islamist groups opposed to the project.

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Exiled Bangladeshi author and human rights activist Taslima Nasreen strongly condemned the threats, incitement, and hostile rhetoric surrounding the construction of the Ram temple, questioning why a single Hindu place of worship is being targeted in a country where several hundred thousand mosques exist and continue to be built.

Taking to her social media platform X, Nasreen said : “There are several hundred thousand mosques in Bangladesh, and new mosques continue to be built across the country. So why is there so much opposition to the construction of a single Ram temple or a statue of Lord Rama? If religious freedom is truly for everyone, then it should apply equally to minorities, not only to the majority.” “The threats, incitement, and hateful rhetoric directed against the Ram temple currently under construction in Palashbari, Gaibandha, are deeply concerning. No individual or group acquires the right to demolish another community’s place of worship simply because they dislike it. In a state governed by the rule of law, religious disagreements are not resolved through violence or barbarism,” she added.

Nasreen stressed that the situation is particularly troubling given Palashbari’s history of attacks on Hindu temples and idol vandalism, which has left the Hindi minority community feeling vulnerable.

“Many Muslim-majority countries around the world—including Indonesia, United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, and Oman—have large Hindu temples. In those countries, the existence of temples is not viewed as a threat to the state. Why, then, is the construction of a single temple in Bangladesh being portrayed by some Muslims as an existential crisis?,” Nasreen questioned.

Meanwhile, Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury, editor of the Bangladeshi newspaper ‘Blitz also expressed grave concern over the halt of temple construction amid pressure from Islamist extremist groups. “Amid massive protests of local jihadist and Islamist groups, authorities of the ongoing Sanatan Complex in Gaibandha district in Bangladesh have announced suspending all activities and stop building the idol of Lord Ram,” Choudhary posted on X.