Hindus endure severe persecution in Bangladesh: Annual report chronicles disturbing trends

The annual report by the Bangladesh Hindu, Buddhist, Christian Oikya Parishad has revealed a year of relentless persecution faced by Hindu minorities across Bangladesh from July 2023 to June 2024. Presented on July 8 at the National Press Club in Dhaka by Rana Dasgupta, the report meticulously documents a range of atrocities, including targeted violence, land seizures, religious attacks, and systemic injustices that continue to threaten the existence and rights of Hindu communities in the country.

One of the most alarming findings of the report is the pervasive pattern of land grabbing aimed at Hindu minorities. According to the findings, 70 per cent of reported attacks on Hindus were directly or indirectly related to attempts to seize their lands or properties, often under threat of violence. Islamist groups, allegedly supported by local political entities, employ tactics of intimidation and terror to coerce Hindu families into selling their ancestral lands at significantly reduced prices or abandoning them altogether. The report details 47 cases of forced evictions and threats against 45 Hindu families during the reporting period, highlighting the systematic efforts to dispossess and displace the Hindu community.

Religious institutions and symbols have been primary targets of violence and desecration throughout the year. The report records a staggering 94 incidents of attacks on Hindu temples, ranging from vandalism and looting to arson. These attacks not only target places of worship but also seek to erase cultural and religious identities through the destruction of sacred statues and idols (Murtis). A total of 40 Murtis were vandalised during the reporting period, underscoring a deliberate campaign to intimidate and suppress the Hindu community’s religious expression.

The safety and dignity of Hindu women and girls remain severely compromised in Bangladesh. The report documents 25 cases of abduction, rape, and gang rape of Hindu girls, with several victims being minors. Additionally, 12 Hindu girls were forcibly converted to Islam, highlighting the systematic targeting of vulnerable women within the minority community. These incidents not only constitute grave violations of human rights but also reflect a broader strategy to undermine the social fabric and cultural integrity of Hindu communities.

The report outlines a disturbing tally of violence perpetrated against Hindus, including 45 murders and ten attempted murders in the past year alone. Furthermore, 479 Hindus sustained injuries in various attacks across Bangladesh, indicating a pervasive atmosphere of fear and insecurity. The community also faced 36 documented death threats, illustrating the persistent threats of violence and intimidation faced by individuals and families.

Economic exploitation and legal harassment further exacerbate the plight of Hindu communities in Bangladesh. The report cites 11 instances of extortion targeting wealthy Hindu businessmen, contributing to financial instability and insecurity within the community. Additionally, the arbitrary arrest of 8 Hindus on fabricated blasphemy charges underscores the misuse of legal mechanisms to suppress dissent and intimidate religious minorities.

Central to the report’s findings is the indictment of law enforcement agencies for collaboration and negligence in addressing crimes against Hindus. Allegations of biased investigations and dismissals of serious crimes, such as temple vandalism, as acts of individuals deemed mentally unstable highlight a systemic failure to protect and uphold justice for minority communities. The report suggests that these failures are often influenced by political pressures and Islamist agendas, perpetuating a cycle of impunity and injustice.

As Bangladesh grapples with these severe human rights violations, international human rights organisations and advocacy groups are increasingly calling for urgent intervention to safeguard the rights and security of Hindu minorities. The report’s findings underscore a grave humanitarian crisis requiring immediate attention and decisive action from domestic authorities and the global community to uphold fundamental human rights and religious freedoms and ensure justice for all citizens.