Amidst escalating violence against the Hindu minority in Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, the chief advisor of the country’s interim government, has appealed for patience from the public. His remarks came after a visit to the revered Dhakeshwari Temple in Dhaka, where he met with members of the distressed Hindu community. Yunus, appointed to his position on August 8th, emphasized the need for equal rights for all citizens, stating that “Rights are equal for everyone. We are all one people with one right. Do not make any distinctions among us.” He attributed the current situation to “institutional decay” and urged for patience before judging the interim government’s efforts.
The unrest in Bangladesh has intensified following the resignation and departure of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India on August 5th, amidst widespread protests against her government. These protests have been met with violence, particularly targeting Hindu communities. The Dhakeshwari Temple, one of the 51 revered Shakti Peethas in the Indian Subcontinent, has become a focal point for the Hindu community’s anxieties.
Prior to Yunus’s call for patience, thousands of minority Hindus staged demonstrations in Dhaka and Chattagram, demanding protection and an end to the escalating violence. Their demands included the establishment of special tribunals for expeditious trials of those persecuting minorities, allocation of parliamentary seats for minorities, and the enactment of a minority protection law. On Saturday, these demonstrations resulted in significant traffic disruptions in Dhaka’s central Shahbagh area. Yunus has previously condemned the attacks on minority communities, calling them “heinous” and urging youth to protect all Hindus, Christians, and Buddhists. The ongoing situation in Bangladesh highlights a growing concern over the safety and security of religious minorities amidst political and social unrest.
