Noted author Taslima Nasrin has slammed the Sheikh Hasina government for not protecting Hindus from Islamists. Bangladesh has become "Jihadistan" she said and added that madrasas are breeding grounds for fundamentalism. She also accused the Sheikh Hasina government of exploiting religion for political gains.
According to the writer, Buddhists and Hindus in Bangladesh have become 'third-class citizens' and the anti-Hindu mindset is growing by the day.
While talking to news agency PTI, the writer said: "I actually don't like to call it Bangladesh anymore. It has become 'jihadistan' now. All subsequent governments, including the present one, used religion for political motives. They made Islam the state religion so Hindus and Buddhists have become third-class citizens and subject to persecution like this."
The Lajja author added: "Numerous mosques and madrasas are built in Bangladesh unnecessarily which are used to brainwash the younger generation. In remote villages, preachers speak whatever they want to in the name of Islam. They are misleading young people who are illiterate and do not understand Arabic. So whenever any rumour is spread, these kinds of violent incidents happen".
Meanwhile the data from rights group Ain o Salish Kendra claimed that 3,721 attacks have been reported against Hindus in Bangladesh in the last nine years.
The report stated that between January 2013 and September this year, 1,678 vandalism and arson attacks were reported on Hindu temples, idols, and places of worship. The last three years have also seen attacks against 18 Hindu families.
Activists also reported that the numbers did not reflect the actual situation since the media only reported the events that came to light.
The worst incident occurred in 2014 when 1,201 houses and set-ups of minorities were vandalised by a group of miscreants.
By the end of September this year, 196 houses, trading centres, temples, monasteries, and statues had been vandalised, according to the rights group.
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