Several Hindu community leaders in Bangladesh are urging the immediate release of Haridas Chandra Tarani Das, who proposed an 81-foot-tall Lord Ram statue at a temple in Gaibandha district. Tarani Das was detained on July 12 over a money laundering case in Dhaka. The call for his release was made during a protest rally by the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council in Dhaka.
The protestors emphasized the need for protecting minority rights and urged the Bangladeshi government to ensure religious freedom and halt attacks on minority groups. The Council’s General Secretary criticized the arrest of Tarani Das, stating the temple construction was ongoing. They demanded the withdrawal of the case against Tarani Das and the release of ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das.
The Council’s Vice-President appealed for upholding constitutional rights, religious freedom, and minority community security. Human rights organizations have strongly criticized Tarani Das’ arrest, denouncing it as unfortunate and unacceptable. The Council accused extremist groups of opposing the Lord Ram statue, inciting religious hostility, and endangering communal harmony in Bangladesh.
