The crown belonging to the goddess Kali, housed in the Jeshoreshwari Temple located in Shyamnagar, Satkhira, has been reported stolen. This crown was presented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the temple in March 2021. On Friday, India expressed significant concerns to Bangladesh regarding the theft of this valuable item, which occurred on Thursday afternoon. The Indian High Commission in Dhaka is actively engaging with local authorities to address the situation, emphasizing the need for the recovery of the crown and the prosecution of those responsible. Reports indicate that the absence of the crown was first observed by the cleaning staff after the temple priest, Dilip Mukherjee, departed around 2 PM.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the Jeshoreshwari Temple on March 27, 2021, was part of a broader tour of Bangladesh, coinciding with the nation’s Golden Jubilee of Independence and the centenary celebration of its founding leader, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The High Commission has called upon Bangladeshi law enforcement to thoroughly investigate the incident and ensure the return of the stolen item. According to Hindu beliefs, the temple is recognized as one of the 52 shakti peethas, or sacred seats of the goddess, and is thought to have been built in the late 12th century. In light of the recent attacks on the Hindu minority in Bangladesh amid political unrest, Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, who is leading the interim government, made a visit to the Dhakeshwari Temple to connect with the community, promising justice and equal rights for everyone. On August 8, coinciding with Yunus’s swearing-in, Prime Minister Modi urged him to prioritize the safety and protection of Hindus and all other minority groups within Bangladesh.