Bangladesh has confirmed 88 cases of communal violence targeting minorities, primarily Hindus, since the departure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August. Shafiqul Alam, press secretary to interim government head Muhammad Yunus, disclosed these figures on Tuesday, noting that 70 individuals have been arrested in connection with the attacks, as reported by PTI.
This announcement follows a visit by Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, who raised concerns about the safety and welfare of minorities in Bangladesh during meetings with the country’s leadership. Misri expressed India’s worries over the rising number of attacks, urging for stronger protection of vulnerable communities.
He also emphasized that India seeks a positive and mutually beneficial relationship with Bangladesh, highlighting the desire for a constructive, people-focused partnership. Misri reaffirmed India’s commitment to working closely with Bangladesh’s interim government to achieve these goals.
Cases and Arrests
Alam informed reporters that 88 cases were registered between August 5 and October 22, with incidents reported across various regions, including Sunamganj in the northeast and Gazipur in central Bangladesh.
“The number of cases and arrests is likely to rise as new incidents of violence have been reported in Sunamganj, Gazipur, and other areas,” Alam said, according to PTI.
Authorities believe that not all attacks were faith-based. Alam suggested that some victims were affiliated with Sheikh Hasina’s former ruling party, the Awami League, and may have been targeted due to political affiliations or personal disputes.
“Some attacks targeted individuals who were former members of the ruling party or were the result of personal disputes. However, the police are taking appropriate action in response to all incidents of violence,” he added.
Pattern of Attacks
While the Bangladeshi government has insisted that many incidents were not motivated by religious intolerance, the recurring pattern of violence against minorities has raised significant concern. Hindus, who represent a small percentage of the population, have historically been targeted by sporadic communal violence, particularly during political transitions.
Alam also revealed that details of incidents occurring after October 22 will be included in a forthcoming report, suggesting that additional cases may emerge.
Regional and International Concerns
The confirmation of these incidents has heightened scrutiny from India, which has previously expressed concerns about the treatment of minorities in Bangladesh, especially during times of political instability.
The Bangladeshi government has assured both domestic and international stakeholders of its commitment to safeguarding minorities and maintaining law and order. Authorities have pledged to thoroughly investigate each incident and bring the responsible parties to justice.
As the interim government faces ongoing political challenges, the safety of minority communities remains a pressing issue, both within Bangladesh and in its international relations.
The recent surge in violence against Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh, including attacks on temples, has significantly heightened tensions between New Delhi and Dhaka, straining their bilateral relationship. The arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das has further intensified concerns in India. In this context, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s visit to Dhaka for the annual foreign office consultations with his Bangladeshi counterpart, Mohammad Jashim Uddin, has taken on critical importance.
As the first senior Indian official to engage with the caretaker administration since the change of government in August, Misri’s discussions with de facto foreign minister Touhid Hossain and interim government head Muhammad Yunus emphasized India’s focus on protecting minority rights in Bangladesh. The visit underscored the need for collaborative efforts to address communal tensions, preserve social harmony, and reinforce the longstanding ties between the two nations amid a challenging phase in their relationship.
On December 10, Human Rights Day, ISKCON’s Kolkata center called on the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHCR) to address the ongoing atrocities against religious minorities in Bangladesh, expressing concern over the human rights violations. ISKCON Kolkata spokesperson Radharamn Das urged the interim government in Bangladesh to take stronger action against extremists inciting violence, emphasizing the importance of rebuilding trust among the country’s minority communities.
Das also criticized the UNHCR for its silence on the issue, despite vocal criticisms from MPs in countries like the US and the UK. He shared a video, which could not be independently verified, reportedly showing a fundamentalist threatening Hindu minorities and ISKCON in Bangladesh, calling for genocide.
Das reaffirmed ISKCON’s commitment to serving and feeding people of all faiths and called for the protection of both minorities and the ISKCON community in Bangladesh. He further criticized the UNHCR for its inaction, stating, “The snoring remains louder than the cries for justice,” and urged the organization to recognize the situation and take steps to protect the rights of Bangladesh’s Hindu population.
Protests were held across India on December 10, with members of Hindu organizations, civil society groups, and concerned citizens condemning the alleged atrocities against Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. Demonstrations took place in major cities such as Delhi, Lucknow, Jammu, Dharamsala, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Ranchi, Guwahati, Bhubaneswar, and Kolkata, coinciding with World Human Rights Day. Protesters called for the intervention of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and submitted memorandums to government officials and Bangladeshi representatives, urging immediate action to protect the rights and safety of minorities.
In Delhi, security was increased outside the Bangladesh High Commission as a large crowd gathered to condemn the alleged “genocide” of Hindus. Similar rallies across India featured speeches by prominent figures, including Sadhvi Ritambhara and former diplomats, who stressed the need for both India and the international community to take action. From human chains in Ahmedabad to peaceful marches in Dharamsala and public rallies in Lucknow, the protests expressed solidarity with Bangladesh’s Hindu community, voicing concerns over rising violence, forced conversions, and alleged state inaction.
At one of the rallies, RSS Akhil Bharatiya Sampark Pramukh Ramlal issued a stern warning to Bangladesh, demanding an immediate end to the atrocities against Hindus. He cautioned that failure to act could lead to severe consequences and urged the Indian government to intervene to safeguard the safety and rights of Hindus in the neighboring country.
