Dhaka: Construction work on a proposed grand statue of Lord Ram in Bangladesh’s Gaibandha district has been temporarily suspended following reports of opposition and threats from certain groups. The decision was taken by the local Hindu community and temple authorities in an effort to maintain peace and public order in the area.
According to reports, the statue was planned within the premises of the Sri Sri Radha Govinda Temple in Palashbari Upazila. The project was intended as a religious and cultural initiative for the local Hindu community. However, objections raised by some groups reportedly led to tensions in the locality, prompting temple authorities to put the construction work on hold.
Representatives of the temple committee stated that the decision was taken to prevent further escalation of the situation and to preserve communal harmony. They expressed hope that discussions with local authorities and stakeholders would help create conditions for the project to resume in the future.
The development has sparked fresh debate in Bangladesh over religious freedom and the rights of minority communities. Several social activists and human rights advocates have voiced concern over the incident, emphasizing the need to protect the rights of all communities to practice and express their faith peacefully.
Local authorities said they are monitoring the situation closely and taking necessary measures to maintain law and order. For the time being, construction of the proposed Ram statue remains suspended until further notice.