In Bangladesh, the Hindu minority has been facing challenges, including violence, discrimination and forced migration. Historically, in 1971 Liberation war saw Hindus targeted for their support of Independence, leading a major loss of life and property. They have been disturbed since 1945 direct action day, often during Durga Puja multiple attacks and raid occur. Further, became more dangers to Hindu life following the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. During August 6 to 8th there multiple targets on Hindu life and property including homes, businesses, and places of worship targeted and worldwide Hindus was hoping for safety of Bangladeshi Hindus.
Suddenly, there was protest by Hindus in Shuahbag Square, Dhaka, Bangladesh on August 10th 2024. During that time few people were chanting slogans like Jai Shree Ram which is associated with India’s Hindu nationalist forces. Who are these people and as minority how can have power to rise as Hindu nationalist?
The beginning:
The ideological foundation of Hindutva track back to 2006 with the establishment of the Hindu Mahajote. This organisation was created for advocating for the rights of the Hindus in Bangladesh and was closely tied with Rastriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in India. The organisation marked new era for Hindu nationalist activities in Bangladesh, promoting ideas that aligned with the cultural nationalism adopted by the BJP in India.
During 2016 their major split in organisation in two, while the Hindu Mahajote was the same, but few people wanted to align more toward BJP and they formed the Bangladesh Hindu Jagran Manch (BHJM) inspired by RSS affiliated Hindu/dharma Jagran Manch. The key figures are Nihar Haldar, Jewel Aich Arko, Joy Rajbangshi, Rony Rajbangshi, and Pradip Kanti Dey emerged as leaders of the organisation.
The BHJM adopted the strategies of the BJP and its leaders began to emphasize the cultural and political principles of Hindutva using slogans including “Jai Shree Ram” and advocating for the protection of the Hindu cultural identity in Bangladesh. Soon the organisation influence grows and there were promoting events including Ram Navami celebrations on a grand scale across Bangladesh.
During these celebrations, Hindu nationalist slogans including “Jai Shree Ram” was chanted. Surprising the BHJM was against Sheik Hasina and her Awami league, while Hasina was close friend of India were BHJM ideological was formed. The BHJM under the leadership of Nihar Haldar lents it supports to opposition parties such as the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), where its leaders were criticising the government treatment of religious minorities.
Although the BHJM disagree it connection with the India or RSS nor BJP. They also argue about the personally losses pushed many toward a harsh
“Nihar Haldar’s family lost their properties to Muslims. They could not recover their property. The administration didn’t help. I can’t blame him for turning into a militant Hindu activist. His desperation forced him to seek help from Indian politicians,” the BHJM organizer said.
The organisation faced an internal division as similar before and the formation of the Bangladesh Sanatan Jagran Mancha (BSJM). There was increasing tensions of Haldar interaction with BJP leaders, by 1st of October, 2024 a faction within the BHJM, opposed the ties with BJP. Later decided to break away and form new organisation called the Bangladesh Sanatan Jagran Mancha (BSJM). The group distance itself from the BJP influence and focused more on traditional religious part of Hinduism in Bangladesh. The organisation focused on more local concerns among Hindu community, while BHJM, led by Haldar and his allies remained aligned with the BJP’s Hindutva agenda.
