Dhaka: A recent incident involving the unauthorized construction of a mosque on the land of the centuries-old Kantajew Temple in Kaharol upazila, Dinazpur district, Bangladesh, has stirred international concern. The dispute arose when local Muslims began erecting a multi-storey mosque on temple land without permission, leading to a ban on all construction activities imposed by the district administration more than 23 days after the encroachment commenced.

The Kantajew Temple, with its historic significance dating back centuries, spans 156.53 acres of land originally registered in the name of Maharaja Jagdish Nath Roy. The temple, dedicated to Sri Sri Kantaji Vigraha, has been a revered pilgrimage site for Hindus both locally and internationally. Notably, it is recognized as a UNESCO-listed site, showcasing Bangladesh's rich terracotta architecture.

The controversy erupted on March 1 when Dinajpur-1 lawmaker Zakaria Zaka laid the foundation for the mosque, sparking immediate condemnation. Despite claims of halting construction, the work continued unabated, prompting the district administration to intervene.

After a delay of 23 days, Deputy Commissioner Shakil Ahmed announced a ban on all construction activities on the temple land, citing the illegal occupation of "Debattor land" designated for the temple deity. Local Muslims allege that a mosque has existed on a portion of the land since 1950, with a lease issued by the deputy commissioner in 1976. However, a 1999 High Court ruling declared that Debattor land is solely designated for the deity.

DC Shakil Ahmed stated that the validity of lease documents submitted by the mosque committee is under scrutiny, emphasizing the need for verification. This move has drawn attention to the apparent contradiction between the lease and the High Court ruling.

Ronojit Kumar Singha, an agent of Raj Debottar Estate, raised concerns about the encroachment, highlighting discrepancies in land allocation and asserting that the mosque construction exceeded the designated area. He underscored the need for immediate action to rectify the situation.

Leaders of various Hindu organizations expressed dismay over the construction on temple land, emphasizing the importance of preserving communal harmony. While the district administration's intervention has temporarily halted construction, concerns linger about the potential repercussions and the need for a lasting resolution to prevent similar incidents in the future.

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