- By Ajeet Kumar
- Wed, 17 Jun 2026 10:39 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
- Construction of Bangladesh's largest Lord Ram statue halted.
- Hindu community, students protest alleged extremist threats.
- 80% work complete on 81-foot statue in Gaibandha.
Members of Bangladesh’s Hindu minority community, along with students from Dhaka University, staged protests in the capital Dhaka demanding the resumption of construction work on what is planned to be the country’s largest statue of Lord Ram.
The demonstration was organised in response to the suspension of work on the proposed 81-foot-tall statue in Palashbari Upazila of Gaibandha district. Protesters alleged that extremist groups had been pressuring and threatening organisers involved in the project, forcing the temple authorities to temporarily halt construction.
Hindu organisation urges govt to intervene
The statue, being built at the Sri Sri Radha Govinda Temple in Komorpur village of Gaibandha’s Palashbari Upazila, has become a matter of concern for minority groups in the country. Hindu organisations have urged authorities to intervene and ensure the project’s completion amid growing tensions surrounding the site.
According to reports, project organisers announced the temporary suspension of construction earlier this month during a press conference, citing security concerns and increasing pressure from radical groups.
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80 per cent construction completed
Speaking to the media, Haridas Chandra Das, founder and president of the temple committee of the Gaibandha Palashbari Komorpur Sri Sri Radha Govinda Temple, said that nearly 80 per cent of the construction work had already been completed.
“We are building a statue of Lord Ram, one of the key spiritual symbols of Sanatan Dharma. Around 80 per cent of the work on the 81-foot structure is complete, but some extremist groups are pressuring us to stop the construction,” Das said.
He added that fear among organisers had compelled them to pause the project temporarily.
“We are scared, and because of this fear, we have stopped the work. I appeal to the Prime Minister, Tarique Rahman, law enforcement agencies, and civil society to ensure that we can complete the project,” he said.
Meanwhile, the central committee of the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council condemned the alleged threats and urged the government to take immediate and effective measures to curb communal intimidation and ensure the safety of minority communities.