Following the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has experienced an alarming increase in violence targeting its minority Hindu population. The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council (BHBCUC) reported that between Monday and Tuesday, a large number of Hindu homes and businesses were vandalised, and numerous temples were damaged.Although no deaths have been reported, the attacks have resulted in dozens of injuries.
Rana Dasgupta, the general secretary of BHBCUC, told news agency Reuters that the attacks commenced shortly before Hasina’s resignation announcement. “Although there is no killing, there is injury. Houses and businesses of minorities, especially Hindus, as well as temples, have been targeted, looted, damaged,” he said. Dasgupta himself fell victim to the unrest when his vehicle was attacked with a brick in Chattogram. Despite the risks, he remains determined to oppose communal violence, declaring, “I stand against communal atrocities and will not stop. I may not be able to physically protect them, but I can give them courage. I may not be able to resist attacks, but I can protest.”
The resignation of Sheikh Hasina comes after weeks of intense student-led protests that have resulted in nearly 300 deaths since July. Hasina fled to India and is expected to seek asylum in the United Kingdom. Her departure has left Bangladesh in a precarious state, with many Hindus feeling increasingly vulnerable amid the lack of a stable government. Manindra Kumar Nath, another Hindu community leader, described the situation as “horrific,” citing numerous calls from community members desperate for help as attacks continue unchecked.
To restore order, Bangladesh’s military has been deployed nationwide. Hindus, who constitute approximately 8% of Bangladesh’s 170 million population, have traditionally supported Hasina’s secular Awami League party.
Iskcon, Kali temple vandalised
On Sunday, local reports suggest that Hindu houses and temples, including Iskconand Kali temples, were specifically targeted, forcing devotees to seek shelter. Kajal Roy, a Hindu councillor from Rangpur, was among the 100 people who lost their lives during the riots.
Targetting of minorities worrying: EAM Jaishankar
External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday told Rajya Sabha that the Indian government is in constant talks with the Bangladesh interim government. He also added that during the protests on Monday, several minorities were targeted in Dhaka.
“On 4th August, events took a very serious turn. Attacks on police, including police stations and government installations, intensified even as overall levels of violence greatly escalated. Properties of individuals associated with the regime were torched across the country. What was particularly worrying was that minorities, their businesses and temples also came under attack at multiple locations. The full extent of this is still not clear,” Jaishankar said.
Rana Dasgupta, the general secretary of BHBCUC, told news agency Reuters that the attacks commenced shortly before Hasina’s resignation announcement. “Although there is no killing, there is injury. Houses and businesses of minorities, especially Hindus, as well as temples, have been targeted, looted, damaged,” he said. Dasgupta himself fell victim to the unrest when his vehicle was attacked with a brick in Chattogram. Despite the risks, he remains determined to oppose communal violence, declaring, “I stand against communal atrocities and will not stop. I may not be able to physically protect them, but I can give them courage. I may not be able to resist attacks, but I can protest.”
The resignation of Sheikh Hasina comes after weeks of intense student-led protests that have resulted in nearly 300 deaths since July. Hasina fled to India and is expected to seek asylum in the United Kingdom. Her departure has left Bangladesh in a precarious state, with many Hindus feeling increasingly vulnerable amid the lack of a stable government. Manindra Kumar Nath, another Hindu community leader, described the situation as “horrific,” citing numerous calls from community members desperate for help as attacks continue unchecked.
To restore order, Bangladesh’s military has been deployed nationwide. Hindus, who constitute approximately 8% of Bangladesh’s 170 million population, have traditionally supported Hasina’s secular Awami League party.
Iskcon, Kali temple vandalised
On Sunday, local reports suggest that Hindu houses and temples, including Iskconand Kali temples, were specifically targeted, forcing devotees to seek shelter. Kajal Roy, a Hindu councillor from Rangpur, was among the 100 people who lost their lives during the riots.
Targetting of minorities worrying: EAM Jaishankar
External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday told Rajya Sabha that the Indian government is in constant talks with the Bangladesh interim government. He also added that during the protests on Monday, several minorities were targeted in Dhaka.
“On 4th August, events took a very serious turn. Attacks on police, including police stations and government installations, intensified even as overall levels of violence greatly escalated. Properties of individuals associated with the regime were torched across the country. What was particularly worrying was that minorities, their businesses and temples also came under attack at multiple locations. The full extent of this is still not clear,” Jaishankar said.
