India Registers Strong Protest Over Attack on Bangladesh Temples, Calls For Hindus' Safety

New Delhi: Condemning the recent attack at Puja Mandap in Bangladesh as “deplorable” event, the Ministry of External Affairs lodged a strong protest with Bangladesh 's Interim government and said that the safety of Hindus should be ensured at all costs especially during these auspicious time of festivals.

The ministry's remarks came after it was discovered that a hand-crafted golden mukut (crown) gifted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was stolen from a Hindu temple in Bangladesh 's southwestern Satkhira district amid Durga Puja celebrations, a theft over which India expressed concern.

'Systematic Pattern of Descration and Damage To Temples Being Followed'

"We have noted with serious concern the attack on a Puja mandap in Tantibazar, Dhaka and the theft at the revered Jeshoreshwari Kali temple at Satkhira.", said MEA in the statement.

"These are deplorable events. They follow a systematic pattern of desecration and damage to temples and deities that we have witnessed over several days now.", the statement added further.

"We call upon the Government of Bangladesh to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities and their places of worship, especially during this auspicious festival time", the statement added further.

Precious Crown of Goddess Kali Stolen From Temple In Bangladesh | WATCH

Seventeen persons have been arrested and about a dozen cases registered after Bangladesh witnessed about 35 untoward incidents related to the ongoing Durga Puja celebrations across the country this month.

The minority Hindu population -- Hindus constitute just about 8 per cent of the 170 million Bangladesh population -- faced vandalism of their businesses, and properties and destruction of temples during the student-led violence that erupted following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5.