India urges Bangladesh to recover stolen crown gifted by Modi to Jeshoreshwari Temple

India has voiced serious concerns over the theft of a crown gifted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Jeshoreshwari Kali temple in Satkhira, Bangladesh, during his visit in 2021. The Indian High Commission in Dhaka urged Bangladeshi authorities to investigate the incident, recover the stolen artefact, and take action against those responsible.

“We express deep concern & urge Govt of Bangladesh to investigate theft, recover the crown & take action against the perpetrators,” the Indian high commission in Dhaka said on X, citing reports about the theft of the crown.

The gold-plated crown, presented to Goddess Kali, was reported stolen on October 10 afternoon. Cleaning staff discovered the theft when they entered the temple after the priest, Dilip Banerjee, locked up and left around 2 PM, according to local media reports cited by The Indian Express.

People familiar with the situation told The Hindustan Times that the Indian side is deeply disturbed by the incident. The High Commission in Dhaka is actively communicating with Bangladeshi authorities regarding the matter.

This incident occurs amidst strained relations between the Indian government and Bangladesh's caretaker administration, following the ousting of Sheikh Hasina's regime in August. Hasina has sought refuge in India, and discussions of her potential extradition have surfaced. The Indian government has also urged the Bangladeshi administration, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, to ensure the protection of the Hindu minority community in light of recent attacks.