 "The golden-plated, silver crown, which was a gift from Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Bangladesh in March 2021, went missing on Thursday afternoon. PTI")
In a shocking theft, the priceless crown that once graced the head of the Goddess Kali at the revered Jeshoreshwari Temple in Bangladesh’s Satkhira has been reported stolen.
According to the Bangladesh newspaper Daily Star, the golden-plated, silver crown, which was a gift from Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Bangladesh in March 2021, went missing on Thursday afternoon.
The stolen crown carries deep cultural and religious significance for devotees in both countries. In response, the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh has expressed “deep concern” about the crown’s theft.
Here’s a closer look at the unfolding situation.
The significance of the crown
Jeshoreshwari Kali Temple, a celebrated Hindu shrine dedicated to Goddess Kali, stands in the village of Ishwaripur in Bangladesh’s southwestern Satkhira district.
Recognised as one of the 51 sacred Shakti Peethas spread across India and neighbouring countries, the temple attracts devotees who revere its ancient heritage and mythological significance.
According to Hindu beliefs, the temple marks the spot where the palms and soles of the goddess Sati fell, and she resides there in the form of Devi Jashoreshwari and Lord Shiva appears as Chanda.
The temple was originally constructed by a Brahmin named Anari in the latter half of the 12th century, with 100 doors for the Jashoreshwari Pith. It underwent renovations in the 13th century under Lakshman Sen, and by the 16th century, Raja Pratapaditya of Jessore had renovated the structure, further solidifying its status as a prominent place of worship, reports ANI.
On March 27, 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Jeshoreshwari Temple during a two-day trip to Bangladesh, marking his first international visit since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wearing a mask, he joined in prayer and sat cross-legged on the temple floor as the priest recited sacred texts. To honour the goddess, PM Modi then placed a silver, gold-plated crown—handcrafted over three weeks by a local artisan—on the deity’s head as a symbolic offering, noted a PIB press release.
Following this visit, PM Modi also announced plans to construct a multipurpose community hall at the temple. He envisioned it as a space for social, religious, and educational events, benefiting the local community. Additionally, the hall would serve as a disaster shelter, providing essential protection during natural calamities.
The theft
According to Daily Star, the crown was stolen on Thursday between 2.00 pm and 2.30 pm, after temple priest Dilip Mukherjee left following the day’s worship.
The cleaning staff later found that the crown was missing from the deity’s head, sparking worries about its theft.
Talking to the Bangladeshi media outlet, Inspector of Shyamnagar Police Station Taizul Islam confirmed the incident and stated that authorities are taking measures to catch the culprit.
“We are reviewing the temple’s CCTV footage to identify the thief,” said the Inspector.
A video tweeted by a senior official from the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting on Friday reportedly shows a man entering the shrine and stealing the crown from the goddess’ head.
After reports of the theft surfaced, The Indian High Commission in Bangladesh also expressed deep concerns and urged the Bangladeshi government to launch a probe and stern action against the perpetrators.
“We have seen reports of theft of the crown gifted by PM Modi to Jeshoreshwari Kali Temple (Satkhira) in 2021 during his visit to Bangladesh,” tweeted the High Commission of India in Bangladesh. It added, “We express deep concern and urge Govt of Bangladesh to investigate theft, recover the crown and take action against the perpetrators.”
The theft comes after a wave of unrest in Bangladesh recently after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina. It has resulted in reported damage to multiple Hindu temples including the ISKON Temple and an Indian cultural centre.
In response to the turmoil, Foreign Minister S Jaishankar had expressed concern in August, saying, “What was particularly worrying was that minorities, their businesses, and temples also came under attack at multiple locations.” He added that New Delhi was “monitoring the situation” and that the government would “remain deeply concerned till law and order is visibly restored”.
With input from agencies