‘Hurt sentiments globally’: India reacts to demolition of Lord Vishnu statue at Thailand–Cambodia border

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday expressed concern over the demolition of a statue of Lord Vishnu at the Thailand–Cambodia border, saying such “disrespectful acts hurt the sentiments of followers around the world”.

The statue was allegedly destroyed by the Thai military on Monday, following more than two weeks of military clashes between Thailand and Cambodia in the disputed border region.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Hindu and Buddhist deities revered in the region form part of a shared civilisational heritage and should be respected irrespective of territorial disputes.

“We have seen reports on the demolition of a statue of a Hindu religious deity, built in recent times and located in an area affected by the ongoing Thai–Cambodia border dispute. Hindu and Buddhist deities are deeply revered and worshipped by people across the region, as part of our shared civilisational heritage,” Jaiswal said in a statement.

Calling for restraint, India urged both sides to return to dialogue and diplomacy.

“Notwithstanding territorial claims, such disrespectful acts hurt the sentiments of followers around the world and should not take place. We once again urge the two sides to resume peace, return to dialogue and diplomacy, and avoid any further loss of lives, as well as damage to property and heritage,” the statement added.

The Lord Vishnu statue, built in 2014, was reportedly toppled using a bulldozer by Thai military engineers. A video of the demolition circulated widely on social media, triggering outrage. Thai authorities have so far not issued an official response to the incident.

Earlier, Cambodia also condemned Thailand for destroying the Hindu statue in the disputed area. “The statue was inside our territory in the An Ses area,” Kim Chanpanha, a Cambodian spokesman in the border province of Preah Vihear, told AFP.

Clashes between the two Southeast Asian neighbours began in July this year. Although the two sides agreed to a ceasefire in July, reportedly brokered by US President Donald Trump, fighting resumed earlier this month.