Controversy: Demand to demolish incomplete construction; the project started in 2025
In Bangladesh’s Gaibandha district, the 82-foot-tall Ram statue project has been halted following pressure from hardliners. This statue was being built on the premises of the Sri Sri Radha Govinda and Kali Temple. The temple committee has described this as a temporary halt to maintain communal harmony, but the real reason is being cited as pressure from hardline organizations.
The hardline organizations opposing the project have even demanded the demolition of the incomplete structure. The Imam-Ulama Parishad has demanded the complete cancellation of the project, a ban on any such initiatives in the future, and an investigation into the funding.
It is worth noting that this construction began in early 2025 with private funding. There are already more than 100 statues of gods and goddesses on the premises. These include a 30-foot-tall Shiva statue and a 53-foot-tall Krishna statue. The Ram statue was being presented as the largest Ram statue in Asia. More than 17 crore rupees were to be spent on this project.
More than 100 idols are already in the temple premises, spread over 1.38 acres
• Land Distribution: The Sri Sri Radha Govind and Kali temple premises are spread over 1.38 acres, or 138 decimals of land. Initially, these premises were built on 76 decimals of land. Later, 62 decimals of land were added to it. There was a plan for a garden, facilities for devotees, and arrangements for visitors in this section.
• Existing Statues: More than 100 idols of gods and goddesses have already been built on the premises. There is also a 30-foot-tall Shiva statue and a 53-foot-tall Krishna statue here. The Krishna statue is being called the tallest Krishna statue in Asia. This expansion turned it from an ordinary temple into a larger cultural complex.
• Geographical Significance: This temple complex is quite close to the Indian border. The distance of the temple premises from Balurghat in West Bengal is only 70 km. For this reason, this project was not limited to just the local area. It was also being seen as a border religious tourism center.
Key Context & Developments
Two more projects have been halted in the last two years
Even before the Ram statue project, two projects related to Hindu faith have been halted in the last two years. In 2025, due to opposition from hardliners, the Durga temple administration in Dhaka demolished one. In 2024, the location for the installation of a Durga Puja idol in North Dhaka had to be changed following objections.
Hardliners demand secret investigation of funding and accounts
The hardline organization Imam-Ulama Parishad and others have raised questions about the funding of this project. They have demanded that intelligence agencies investigate whether money has come from any foreign country or organization. This demand is indirectly seen as pointing towards India. The opponents have also demanded an investigation into the bank accounts and assets of the people associated with this initiative. They state that the project will affect our sovereignty.
Oppression… 2,839 attacks and 100 murders of Hindus in two years
Following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government in August 2024, there have been 2,839 attacks on minorities, including Hindus, in Bangladesh. According to the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, 2,010 incidents occurred between August 4-20, 2024. In 2025, 522 incidents were recorded, and in the first 3 months of 2026, 133 incidents were recorded. These include more than 100 murders, sexual violence, attacks on homes and shops, vandalism of temple idols, looting, arson, and land grabbing.
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