Bangladesh has witnessed a turbulent period marked by the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina amid widespread violence, the establishment of an interim government, and the forced resignations of the country’s chief justice and governor. However, amidst this political turmoil, reports of multiple attacks on the Hindu minority have surfaced, raising concerns about the safety and security of the community.
According to a Reuters report, Hindus, who constitute approximately 8 percent of Bangladesh’s 170 million population, have historically supported Sheikh Hasina’s secular Awami League party. Following the fall of the Hasina government, at least two Hindu organizations and members of the community have reported over 205 attacks across 52 districts, as per The Hindu.
The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council and the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad presented data on these attacks to Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, who was sworn in as the head of the interim government. Nirmal Rosario, one of the council’s presidents, expressed their urgent need for protection, stating, “We seek protection because our lives are in a disastrous state. We are staying up at night, guarding our homes and temples. I have never seen anything like this in my life. We demand that the government restore communal harmony in the country.”
Kajal Devnath, a council member, echoed the call for justice, asserting, “Those involved in attacking minorities must be brought to justice. If a minority individual is attacked for political reasons, it is still unacceptable. Anyone who commits a crime should be judged, but burning homes and looting will not lead to justice.”
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, general secretary of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), attributed the attacks to individuals exploiting the current situation, denying any systematic agenda. He expressed confidence in the Bangladesh army’s non-interference in the political process and dismissed the involvement of extremist elements in the protests.
Michael Kugelman, Director of the South Asia Institute at The Wilson Center, emphasized the need for addressing the attacks and restoring law and order. “A few stories are playing out in Bangladesh that deserve more scrutiny, investigation…the issue of attacks and threats on minorities, particularly the minority Hindu communities. We know the documented cases of members of the Hindu society being attacked…On Friday there was a large protest in Dhaka in which people were calling for more protection of the Hindu community,” Kugelman said.
Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi wrote to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging intervention to end the violence against Hindus. Krishnamoorthi requested Blinken engage with the interim government to address the violence and bring perpetrators to justice. “I am writing to you regarding the fluid situation in Bangladesh and the rise of coordinated anti-Hindu violence in the wake of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation. Now that Muhammad Yunus is sworn in as Prime Minister for the interim government, it is of utmost urgency that the United States engage with his government for the purposes of both bringing the violence to an end and the perpetrators to justice,” Krishnamoorthi stated in his letter.
The international community is closely monitoring the situation in Bangladesh, with concerns growing over the safety and security of the Hindu community amidst political unrest. The interim government faces the crucial task of restoring law and order, ensuring the safety of all citizens, and addressing the root causes of the violence against minorities.
