Dhaka University students protest desecration of image of Lord Ram

Students of Dhaka University staged a torchlight procession in the Capital to protest against the alleged desecration of an image of Lord Ram during a demonstration in Gaibandha and to demand the resumption of construction work on a proposed Lord Ram statue in northern Bangladesh.

The protest comes amid growing tensions surrounding a project to build what is expected to be Bangladesh’s largest statue of Lord Ram in Palashbari upazila of Gaibandha district. Minority rights groups have expressed concern over threats directed at the project and have urged authorities to ensure the safety of those involved.

The statue, which is planned to stand 81 feet tall, is being constructed at the Sri Sri Radha Govinda Temple complex in Komorpur village. According to project organisers, approximately 80 per cent of the construction has already been completed. However, work has been temporarily suspended due to security concerns and pressure from groups opposing the initiative.

“We are building a statue of one of the principal sources of strength in Sanatan Dharma, Lord Ram. Around 80 per cent of the work on the 81-foot statue has been completed, but some radical groups are pressuring us to halt construction. We are living in fear and have suspended work for the time being,” said Haridas Chandra Das, Founder and President of the Temple Committee of the Gaibandha Palashbari Komorpur Sri Sri Radha Govinda Temple.

Das appealed to the Government, political leaders, law enforcement agencies, and civil society to ensure that the project can be completed without further disruption.

The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council has called on the Government to take immediate action against what it described as communal threats targeting the temple and the statue project. The organisation expressed concern that such incidents could undermine communal harmony across the country.

In a statement, the council urged the Government, local administration, civil society representatives, and political leaders to take swift and appropriate measures to preserve peace and religious coexistence. It also demanded that individuals responsible for inciting communal hatred and provoking unrest be identified and brought to justice.

During the Dhaka University demonstration, student leaders condemned the reported desecration of Lord Ram’s image and described it as an attack on the religious sentiments of the Hindu community.

“Lord Ram is one of the most revered deities in Hinduism. Recently, extremist groups spread rumors involving Lord Ram, while others allegedly desecrated his image. These actions have deeply hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus,” said Ram Prasad Saha Topu, Social Welfare Secretary of the Jagannath Hall Students’ Union.

The controversy has sparked renewed debate over minority rights and religious freedom in Bangladesh, with community leaders calling for stronger protections and measures to prevent communal tensions from escalating. This version removes clutter, improves flow and neutrality, and follows a standard newspaper-style format.