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India on December 24, 2025, strongly condemned the demolition of a statue of Bhagwan Vishnu in a contested border area amid renewed clashes between Thailand and Cambodia. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said such actions were unacceptable and hurt the sentiments of devotees around the world, particularly in a region bound by shared religious and civilisational traditions.<\/p>\n
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, responding to a media query on the issue, said India had taken note of reports regarding the demolition of the statue, which was built in recent times and located in an area affected by the ongoing Thai-Cambodia border dispute.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe 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,\u201d Jaiswal said, referring specifically to the statue of Bhagwan Vishnu that was allegedly dismantled by Thai military personnel.<\/p>\n
Emphasising the deep cultural and spiritual links that bind South and Southeast Asia, the MEA said Hindu and Buddhist deities are revered across the region and form an inseparable part of a shared civilisational heritage.<\/p>\n
\u201cHindu and Buddhist deities are deeply revered and worshipped by people across the region, as part of our shared civilisational heritage,\u201d Jaiswal said.<\/p>\n
He underlined that territorial or military disputes cannot justify acts that offend religious faith.<\/p>\n
\u201cNotwithstanding territorial claims, such disrespectful acts hurt the sentiments of followers around the world and should not take place,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
India also urged both Thailand and Cambodia to step back from confrontation and return to peaceful engagement. Stressing the need to prevent further escalation, New Delhi called for restraint and renewed diplomatic efforts.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe once again urge the two sides to return to dialogue and diplomacy, to resume peace and avoid any further loss of lives, and damage to property and heritage,\u201d Jaiswal said.<\/p>\n
India\u2019s statement came against the backdrop of renewed hostilities along the Thailand\u2013Cambodia border, where tensions have been simmering for months.<\/p>\n
The border clashes between the two Southeast Asian neighbours first erupted in July. Both countries had agreed to a ceasefire the same month, reportedly brokered by US President Donald Trump. However, fighting flared up again this month, raising concerns about regional stability and the safety of civilians and cultural sites in the conflict zone.<\/p>\n
The demolition of the Bhagwan Vishnu statue in a Cambodian temple complex by Thai military engineers has triggered outrage and polarised debate online, particularly after videos of the incident surfaced on social media on December 22.<\/p>\n
Videos Show Statue Toppled by Bulldozer<\/strong><\/p>\n According to widely circulated videos, what appeared to be a tall statue of Bhagwan Vishnu was toppled from behind using heavy machinery, reportedly a bulldozer or excavator, by Thai military engineers. The visuals showed the statue being forcibly dismantled, sparking anger among religious communities and cultural activists.<\/p>\n While some online reactions framed the act as religious desecration, others argued it was driven by territorial and security considerations rather than religious animosity.<\/p>\n A monument to a Hindu deity installed by Cambodia was torn down by Thailand\u2019s army<\/p>\n Not a dismantling \u2014 more like a straight kick up the backside. Only instead of a foot, it was an excavator.<\/p>\n The irony is brutal. Both countries are Buddhist with deep Hindu roots. Hindus revere\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/QzO0P5uWYx<\/a><\/p>\n\n