The council also criticized the government for excluding minorities from all reform commissions, which were set up to recommend measures aimed at combating discrimination and promoting social justice.
A leading rights group in Bangladesh has accused the interim government of failing to address more than 2,000 violent incidents targeting religious minorities, raising concerns of widespread impunity and systemic exclusion.
The Hindu–Buddhist–Christian Unity Council revealed on Wednesday that it had documented 2,442 attacks against minority communities between August 4 last year and June 30 this year. These incidents, according to the council, include murders, rapes, gang rapes, and vandalism of temples, homes, and businesses.
Monindra Kumar Nath, the council’s general secretary, said at a press conference that these attacks began in the wake of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ouster and have continued under the current interim administration led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus.
“Instead of giving due attention to our concerns, the government chose to label them as false, fabricated, and exaggerated,” Nath said, accusing authorities of allowing perpetrators to act with impunity.
The council also criticized the government for excluding minorities from all reform commissions, which were set up to recommend measures aimed at combating discrimination and promoting social justice.
“Though at least 10 per cent of the population belongs to minority groups, the government has neither formed a separate commission for religious minorities nor included a representative from the community in any of the commissions,” Nath added.
Council member Kajal Debnath pointed to a long history of discrimination, dating back to the country’s independence in 1971. “The first attack during Durga Puja happened in 1972,” he said. “But this time, we hoped for better since we have a Nobel Peace Prize winner at the helm.”
The administration of Yunus, who assumed office after a political crisis last year, has dismissed many of the allegations as politically motivated, claiming the violence targets individuals perceived to be supporters of the Awami League, the party formerly led by Hasina.
Yunus’ press office has acknowledged 88 incidents of violence against minorities and reported 70 arrests, but the council contends that there has been no progress in prosecuting the alleged offenders.
“We are not demanding special treatment,” Nath said, “just equal protection and a voice in shaping a more inclusive future.”
