Dhakaশুক্রবার, ১১ জুলাই ২০২৫

Foreign Ministry Clarifies Removal of Temporary Puja Mandap in Khilkhet

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Saturday, 28 June 2025 , 09:38 AM


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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has clarified the removal of a temporary mandap in Dhaka's Khilkhet area, stating that under no circumstances is the construction of religious structures on occupied government land permissible.

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In a press release issued on Friday (June 27), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that reports in the media alleging the destruction of a Durga temple in Dhaka's Khilkhet area had drawn the attention of the Bangladesh government.

However, the Ministry explained that the actual situation was that during last year's Durga Puja, the local Hindu community had erected a temporary puja mandap on land owned by Bangladesh Railway without prior permission.

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The Railway Authority subsequently granted permission on the condition that the organizers would remove the temporary mandap immediately after the puja celebration concluded.

"Regrettably, after the Puja ended in October 2024, the organizers violated the mutual condition and refused to remove the temporary mandap. They then installed a Mahakali (Kali idol) there," the statement read.

The press release further noted that despite repeated reminders, they unfortunately disregarded the Railway Authority and attempted to make the mandap permanent. In December 2024, the Railway Authority held discussions with representatives of the local community and the mandap organizers and issued a public notice for the removal of all unauthorized structures, including hundreds of shops and political party offices illegally constructed on both sides of the railway line owned by Bangladesh Railway in the area. Essentially, only the land extending 200 feet east from the existing railway line belongs to Bangladesh Railway.

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Two additional railway tracks are being constructed as part of a project titled 'Dhaka-Tongi Third and Fourth Section Dual Gauge Line Construction' and 'Tongi-Joydebpur Section Dual Gauge Double Line', and this land was critically needed to complete the new lines under this project.

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Despite repeated reminders to illegal land encroachers in recent months, these warnings were ignored. On June 24 and 25, Bangladesh Railway finally directed everyone to remove all unauthorized structures, including the temporary mandap erected by the puja organizers.

Finally, on June 26, following due process, Bangladesh Railway peacefully evicted all unauthorized structures along the railway tracks in the Khilkhet area. During the eviction process, the idol from the temporary mandap was immersed in the nearby Balu River with due respect, with the participation of the local Hindu community.

The Ministry emphasized that the removal of unauthorized structures to reclaim government land is a regular and lawful administrative procedure. It also highlighted that full protection is ensured for all places of worship, without discrimination against any religious structure built in accordance with the country's laws.

The press release further stated, "Nevertheless, under no circumstances is the construction of any religious structure on occupied government land permissible. The organizers of the temporary mandap clearly took advantage of the railway authorities' trust and goodwill by violating their own commitment."

Bangladesh remains firmly committed to protecting the rights of all communities, including the protection of places of worship. It has never hindered Bangladesh from maintaining its inclusive heritage, where every citizen, regardless of their faith or religion, can live freely in an inclusive and open society.

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