New Delhi: Hindus in Bangladesh, long perceived as supporters of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, are facing a wave of violent reprisals in the aftermath of her resignation and departure from the country amid a popular uprising.
Sheikh Hasina, the former Awami League leader, fled Bangladesh on Monday after a harsh crackdown on anti-government protesters failed to suppress discontent. Following her ouster, there have been incidents of reprisal attacks on members of her party and people thought to be her supporters, especially the Hindu minority of the country.
Witnesses and local media report that rioters have targeted the homes and properties of Hindus in several regions, torching houses and vandalizing temples. Prionthi Chatterjee, a Hindu student in Dhaka, described a harrowing attack on her family in the southern Bagerhat region, which resulted in the death of her father and serious injuries to her mother. Attempts to verify the details of the attack were unsuccessful.
According to reports, attacks against Hindu homes and temples have taken place in at least 27 districts, including places around Chattogram, Bangladesh’s second largest city. Despite conceding the violence, the student groups coordinating the anti-Hasina protests deny the involvement of their supporters. “Temples are being attacked, vandalized, and looted,” said Nahid Islam, one of the student leaders, in a statement. He attributed the violence to individuals seeking to “destroy” the student movement.
Tragically, an ISKCON temple in Meherpur and a Kali temple were vandalized and set on fire, with deities destroyed and devotees narrowly escaping harm. Additionally, Hindu councillor Haradhan Roy was killed, and another councillor, Kajal Roy, was lynched in one of the deadliest days of the unrest, which saw over 100 fatalities.
The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council documented 54 attacks against Hindu temples, houses, and businesses, including the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre. These are the most serious attacks since the 2021 unrest sparked by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bangladesh.
Presently, Hindus make up about 8 percent of Bangladesh’s population, or around 13.1 million people, down from 22 percent in 1951. Over 11 million Hindus fled Bangladesh due to religious persecution between 1964 and 2013.
On Tuesday, Bangladesh’s president, Mohammed Shahabuddin nominated Nobel Peace Prize winner and microfinance pioneer Muhammad Yunus to oversee an interim administration, which is anticipated to be announced within a few days. The temporary administration is supposed to make restoring law and order its top priority.
Human Rights Watch has expressed deep concern over the violence against Hindus. Meenakshi Ganguly, deputy director for Asia, emphasized the troubling nature of the attacks, stating, “Hindus are apparently being attacked because they traditionally supported her Awami League party. Bangladeshis came out on the streets to demand an end to authoritarianism, and these attacks undermine their just demand for human rights.”
In India, there are concerns about a potential influx of Hindu refugees. West Bengal’s Leader of Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, has urged the state administration to prepare for up to one crore Hindu refugees from Bangladesh, if the situation worsens. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed great concern about the plight of the minority populations and assured continued discussion with the Bangladesh Army.
As Bangladesh stands on the brink of forming a new government, the challenge of restoring peace and security remains daunting. The international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution that ensures justice and stability for all citizens.
Mahi Saha
Mahi Saha, from Ranchi, reports for Neo Politico.
