The only approach road leading to the main entrance of Sri Sri Radha Gopinath Iskcon temple in Rangpur has been blocked off by a corrugated metal sheet wall.
An influential local man named Kamrul Islam built the wall that blocked off not only the temple, but ten adjacent homes, robbing these families their freedom of movement.
Under the circumstances, the local Hindu community organized a human chain and a rally in front of the district deputy commissioner’s office on Wednesday.
The demonstrators also submitted separate memorandums to the deputy commissioner, deputy inspector general of police and divisional commissioner.
According to the temple priest, committee members and local Hindu devotees, the approach road to the temple is hundreds of years old.
However, Kamrul Islam blocked off the temple entry way by building a corrugated metal sheet wall under the cover of Sunday night, claiming ownership of the road and nearby land.
The Hindu community also alleged that Kamrul has hired armed criminals to guard the wall. No worshiping has taken place at the temple for the past two days.
Speaking to the Dhaka Tribune, Iskcon temple Chairman Shyamananda Giridam complained: “Hundreds of Hindu devotees are being forced to turn back, as they could not enter the temple to worship. There are no alternative entry ways.”
Prodip Kumar, who represents the owner of the temple land, said: “The temple was founded here almost 25 years ago. The road that has been barred is hundreds of years old. It is used by both Hindu and Muslim families.”
Several members of the Puja Udjapan Committee (committee for organizing puja festivals), on condition of anonymity said the local administration is yet take any action in this regard.
Defending his actions, Kamrul Islam said he won rights to the land adjacent to temple road after winning a court case. However, he could not show any document as evidence of his supposed ownership.
Meanwhile, Tajhat police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Roknuzzaman, said: “The temple committee is yet to submit a complaint to us.
But authorities concerned, including the deputy commissioner and the metropolitan police commissioner, have launched an initiative to resolve the matter.”
