In the wake of the recent political turmoil in Bangladesh, which saw the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5 and her subsequent departure to India, a series of violent attacks against the Hindu community have erupted across the country. These attacks have sparked massive protests by Hindus demanding justice and protection.
Since the political shift, over 205 incidents of violence against minority communities have been reported across 52 districts. Homes, businesses, and temples belonging to Hindus have been targeted, resulting in numerous injuries and the deaths of at least two Hindu leaders affiliated with Hasina’s Awami League party. The violence has prompted thousands of Bangladeshi Hindus to seek refuge in neighboring India.
The scale of the unrest is evident from the large rallies held in the capital Dhaka and the port city of Chittagong. On Saturday, Dhaka’s Shahbagh area saw thousands of Hindus blocking traffic for over three hours, demanding the establishment of special tribunals to expedite trials for those involved in the violence, an allocation of 10 percent of parliamentary seats for minorities, and the enactment of a minority protection law. The rally was joined by thousands of Muslim protestors expressing solidarity with the Hindu community.
In Chittagong, a significant gathering at Cheragi Pahar Square drew reports of over seven lakh attendees. Demonstrations supporting the Hindu community were also held in the United States and the United Kingdom.
In response to the violence, Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel laureate, condemned the attacks as “heinous.” Yunus, addressing the students leading the protests, urged them to ensure the safety of Hindu, Christian, and Buddhist families. “Are they not the people of this country? You have been able to save the country; can’t you save some families?… You must say – no one can harm them. They are my brothers; we fought together, and we will stay together,” Yunus stated, highlighting the need for national unity and protection for all citizens.
The ongoing violence and protests underscore the deepening crisis in Bangladesh, with calls for international attention and intervention to ensure the safety and rights of minority communities in the country.
Sources By Agencies
