The Bangladeshi team is currently in India for the T20 series, but the tour has ended in controversy after the team was unable to visit a mosque for Friday prayers.
Indian media claims that the Bangladeshi players wanted to go to a mosque for Friday prayers, but due to security concerns from the administration, players could not get permission to go to the mosque.
What was the reason?
In response to reported atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh, Indian Hindu organizations are up in arms. The Indian organization Hindu Mahasabha had called for a shutdown of Gwalior on the day it was scheduled to host a match, and other organizations have called for demonstrations.
However, Inspector General of Gwalior Arvind Saxena told the Indian media that more than 2500 police officers were deployed in Gwalior during the first T20 match. The team did not come to the mosque because the mosque is three km away from the hotel where the visiting team is staying.
In the first T20, India defeated Bangladesh by seven wickets. The second T20I between India and Bangladesh will be played in New Delhi on October 9, while the third match will be played in Hyderabad on October 12.
Backend of the story:
The situation for Hindus in Bangladesh has significantly deteriorated, particularly following the political turmoil that arose after Sheikh Hasina was removed from her position as Prime Minister in August 2024.
She left for India after her removal, and this political shift led to increased communal tensions and violence against minority communities, particularly Hindus, who have faced a series of assaults and discriminatory practices, Indian publications have reported. On the other, in some videos and pictures, Bangladeshi students can be seen protecting Hindu temples.
Indian media reported that many Hindus report feeling unsafe in their neighbourhoods, with incidents of destruction targeting temples and homes becoming alarmingly frequent. As a result, many Hindus are fleeing their homes in search of safety, while those who remain are often unable to celebrate religious festivals or perform daily rituals.
This backdrop of unrest has created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty, complicating international relations, particularly with neighbouring India. The ongoing crisis has also impacted sports, manifested by the recent controversies surrounding the Bangladeshi cricket team’s tour in India, where players have been denied access to local mosques for Friday prayers due to heightened security concerns deriving from protests against the treatment of Hindus in Bangladesh.
