Soon after the resignation of Sheikh Hasina, infrequent violence is escalated In Bangladesh against the minorities;predominantly Hindus.
After prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled from the country the riot took an unexpected turn causing the destruction of Minorities among which the majority were Hindus in 27 districts of Bangladesh. Minority leaders have been the major target of the mob. Hindu Awami league leader and his nephew were among the 1st to get assassinated.
Destruction in Bangladesh:
A protest against the reservations has now metamorphosed into extensive vandalism. Along with the minorities, news channels have also been exposed to the violence in Dhaka. Organisations which are working for the welfare of minorities shrieked for help in social media.
The widespread violence has resulted in the complete destruction of an ISKCON temple in Meherpur. A viral telegram channel claims that the 13 houses along with 3 hindu Temples were set on fire.
Council leaders identified several districts where religious minorities, along with their households and businesses, faced attacks. These districts include Panchagarh, Dinajpur, Rangpur, Bogura, and Sirajganj in the northeast; Sherpur and Kishoreganj in the north; Jashore, Magura, and Narail in the west; Khulna, Patuakhali, and Satkhira in the southwest; Narsingdi, Mymensingh, and Tangail in the central region; Lakkhipur, Feni, and Chattogram in the northwest; and Habiganj in the northeast.
Kajol Debnath, a leader of the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, shared with PTI during a meeting that they have documented several incidents of vandalism across the country. He expressed concern that these acts have left the Hindu and other minority communities feeling anxious and vulnerable.
Debnath shared that two Hindu leaders, who were also members of Hasina’s Awami League (AL) party, were tragically killed in Sirajganj and Rangpur. He mentioned that the Council is still working to gather more details about these incidents.Debnath also expressed concern that during this period of political turmoil following the fall of Hasina’s government, attackers looted shops, temples, and homes, and assaulted Hindu women. Many people were injured during these violent attacks.
Situation of Hindus in Bangladesh:
Minorities, who make up about 8% of Bangladesh’s population, roughly 13.1 million people, have recently found themselves targeted in violent unrest that began as student protests but quickly escalated into sectarian attacks.
While this isn’t an indictment of Sheikh Hasina’s efforts to protect minorities during her time in office, it’s important to note that even under her leadership, incidents of violence against religious sites and forced displacement were not uncommon. However, Hasina did manage to keep the militant group Jamat in check. The Hindu population in Bangladesh has drastically declined from 30% in 1947 to just 8% today, reflecting the challenges they continue to face.
Concern raised by the leaders:
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar voiced concern over the attacks on minorities in violence-stricken Bangladesh. Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, he highlighted that properties belonging to individuals linked to the previous regime were set ablaze across the country. Jaishankar noted that what was particularly troubling was the targeting of minorities, including their businesses and temples, at various locations. He added that the full scope of these attacks is still being assessed.
In India, Sanjeev Sanyal, a member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, drew attention when he reacted to the disturbing visuals coming out of Bangladesh. Speaking in a personal capacity, he expressed how chilling these scenes were for him, particularly as a Bengali Hindu and a descendant of refugees.
In a separate tweet, Sanyal hinted at the grim future facing Bangladeshi Hindus, though he didn’t go into detail, as the unfolding events in Bangladesh are already telling the story. While international news channels were broadcasting celebrations from the former Prime Minister’s residence, reports emerged of Kali temples being vandalised, forcing hundreds of devotees to seek refuge nearby.
The situation in Bangladesh remains dire for minorities, especially Hindus, facing widespread violence and uncertainty as political turmoil escalates following Sheikh Hasina’s resignation.
