The current unrest is not an isolated incident but part of a troubling pattern in Bangladesh’s political history. Religious and ethnic minorities have frequently been targeted during periods of political instability.
As Bangladesh grapples with political upheaval following the resignation of prime minister Sheikh Hasina, violence against the country’s minority communities has surged, drawing condemnation from both local and international leaders. Hindu, Ahmadiyya, and Christian communities have been particularly targeted, with numerous attacks reported since August 4.
The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council (BHBCUC) has reported extensive damage to properties and places of worship belonging to religious minorities. According to the council, at least 10 Hindu temples and hundreds of Hindu homes and businesses have been vandalized or looted.
“The situation is dire,” UCA News quoted Nirmol Rozario, a leader of the council and president of the Bangladesh Christian Association as saying. “Minorities are overwhelmed with attacks, and we are doing our best to document and address their cases.”
The violence began in earnest after Hasina resigned on August 5 and fled to India amid mounting protests against her government. The protests, which had been ongoing since July 16, were initially sparked by student demands for reforms in public service job quotas. The movement escalated into widespread demonstrations against alleged election rigging and human rights abuses under Hasina’s rule.
About 90 per cent of Bangladesh’s estimated 170 people are Muslims, about 8 per cent are Hindus, and the rest belong to other faiths, including Christianity and Buddhism.
Violence against minorities
The violent crackdown by police and army forces against the protesters resulted in over 542 deaths, including dozens of law enforcement personnel, as reported by Bengali daily Prothom Alo. With Hasina’s departure and the subsequent breakdown of law and order, vandals targeted minority communities, particularly Hindus, who are seen as supporters of Hasina’s Awami League party.
In the midst of the chaos, Bangladesh’s military chief, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, announced that an interim government would be formed to restore order. Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was appointed as the head of this interim government on August 6. However, the names of other government members have yet to be disclosed. General Waker urged calm and promised a swift return to civilian rule, stressing the need for patience as the interim government is established.
International bodies have also voiced their concerns. The World Council of Churches (WCC) issued a statement urging the military to prioritize a return to civilian governance. WCC Secretary General Professor Jerry Pillay emphasised that a stable, democratic government is essential for the nation’s long-term peace and prosperity.
Similarly, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, along with the European Union, the United States, and Canada, called for immediate action to restore law and order and to end the violence against minorities.
Victimization during political movements
The attacks on minorities have been particularly severe. The Ahmadiyya Muslim community has also faced violence, with at least 25 Ahmadiyya families in Sherpur district being forcibly displaced from their homes and their properties ransacked. Ahmad Tabshir Choudhury, secretary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Bangladesh, reported that many Ahmadiyya families are now hiding in fields for safety.
The violence has affected various communities. In the southwestern Bagherhat district, at least 70 Hindu families were forced to flee their village and spend the night outdoors. In other areas, such as Chourongibazar in Dinajpur, Hindu shops were torched, and in Lohagora of Narail, women were assaulted during attacks on Hindu homes.
The unrest has also had repercussions for ethnic Santhals, a tribal community. UCA News quoted Philemon Baske, a Catholic and Santal leader, reporting attacks on the Santal community and damage to their property. Baske indicated that local authorities have been unable to assist due to the ongoing violence and internet blackouts, UCA said.
The current unrest is not an isolated incident but part of a troubling pattern in Bangladesh’s political history. Religious and ethnic minorities have frequently been targeted during periods of political instability. Rana Dasgupta, general secretary of BHBCUC, noted that such victimization often occurs during political movements, pointing to past instances such as the 1991 anti-Hindu riots and violence following the 2001 national elections.
“As Bangladesh moves forward, there is a pressing need for effective measures to protect minority communities and restore stability,” a Dhaka-based Hindu intellectual told OWSA. “The interim government’s ability to address these challenges and restore order will be closely watched, with hopes for a peaceful resolution and protection of vulnerable communities amid ongoing political turbulence.”
Image: Wikimedia
