Overview
- The Sri Sri Radha Govinda Temple committee says construction of the 81-foot Lord Ram statue in Palashbari, Gaibandha is about 80% complete but has been temporarily suspended because organisers fear attacks.
- Radical Islamist preachers circulated a video urging the statue's demolition and an image of Lord Ram was allegedly desecrated during a recent Gaibandha protest, which temple leaders cite as the main security threat.
- Students held a torchlight procession on Tuesday and issued a 72-hour ultimatum for arrests; they have planned a larger protest at Shahbagh on Friday as part of continued demonstrations.
- The Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council reported 133 communal incidents from January 1 to March 31 and has urged the government to act, while temple organisers have appealed directly to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
- The standoff is raising wider questions about the state's ability to protect minority worship and could amplify political and diplomatic strain with India given the sensitive timing of the controversy.