The Centre for Integrated and Holistic Studies (CIHS), an independent think tank based in New Delhi, has released a comprehensive report detailing the alarming escalation of violence against the Hindu community in Bangladesh. The report, titled “Hindu Genocide Unfolding in Bangladesh,” highlights a coordinated campaign of terror that has systematically targeted Hindus, resulting in widespread human rights violations and acts of genocide.
Systematic Persecution and Decline
The CIHS report traces the persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh back to the partition of India in 1947. Since then, the Hindu population has experienced a drastic decline due to targeted violence, forced conversions, and state-supported discrimination. From nearly 30% of the population in 1947, Hindus now make up less than 8 per cent of Bangladesh’s population.
“The decline of the Hindu population in Bangladesh is not a natural demographic shift but the result of decades of ethnic cleansing efforts aimed at eliminating the Hindu presence in the country,” the report states.
Gender Based Violence as a Tool of Terror
The report also documents the use of gendered violence against Hindu women as a means of terror and forced conversion. Following the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, approximately 200,000 women and girls, predominantly Hindus, were raped by the Pakistani Army and allied forces. This violence has continued, with sexual violence used to intimidate and displace Hindu families.
“Rape and gendered violence have been weaponized against Hindu women, often used as a tool for forced conversions and land seizures,” the report notes.
The CIHS cites reports from the Bangladesh Minority Council, highlighting several reasons for gendered crimes in Bangladesh. Religious ideology significantly influences these crimes, as some interpretations of Islamic teachings suggest that converting non-Muslims and violating their women can secure a place in heaven (Behesta) for the perpetrator and his descendants. Additionally, rape is used as a tactic to drive Hindu families off their land, with the severe social stigma associated with rape often leading to the ostracization of the victim’s family, forcing them to flee their homes. Furthermore, once ostracized, women and girls who are raped are frequently abandoned by their families, making them vulnerable to forced conversion to Islam.
Destruction of Temples and Heritage
A significant portion of the report focuses on the systematic destruction of Hindu temples and religious idols, which CIHS identifies as a calculated attempt to erase Hindu culture and heritage from Bangladesh. Temples across the country have been desecrated, looted, and burned, often with impunity for the perpetrators.
The CIHS report highlights the systematic destruction of Hindu temples and religious idols as a calculated attempt to erase Hindu culture and heritage from Bangladesh. Temples across the country, including the Notun Kali Temple in Moulvibazar and the Sri Krishna Temple in Chittagong, have been desecrated, looted, and burned. Often, these attacks occur with impunity, as the perpetrators face no legal consequences. For instance, in Comilla, the Gaur-Nitai Temple was attacked by a mob that set the temple and surrounding Hindu homes ablaze. Similarly, in Feni Bash, the Parsta Hindu Temple was targeted in a series of coordinated attacks aimed at driving Hindus out of the area. These incidents are not isolated but part of a broader strategy to force Hindus out of Bangladesh and erase their cultural and religious presence.
“The destruction of these temples is not only a physical loss but also a cultural one, as these sites are integral to the Hindu community’s religious and cultural identity,” the report emphasizes.
Ongoing Unrest and Escalation of Violence
The current unrest in Bangladesh, which began as protests over a government job quota system, has escalated into a campaign of terror against Hindus. Islamist factions, including Jamaat-e-Islami, Hefazat-e-Islam, and Jamaat Shibir, have exploited the protests as a pretext to launch widespread targeted attacks on Hindu communities, with numerous violent incidents reported across the country.
“The violence against Hindus in Bangladesh bears all the hallmarks of genocide under international law,” the report asserts. “The targeted killings, destruction of religious sites, and systematic attacks on Hindu homes and businesses point to a deliberate and coordinated effort to eradicate Hindus from Bangladesh.”
It states that the targeted killings, such as the murder of Hindu police constable Suman Kumar and the lynching of Hindu Awami League leader Haradhan Roy and his nephew, are clear indicators of a calculated effort to eliminate this minority group.
Moreover, the systematic attacks on religious sites, including the ISKCON and Kali temples, along with the destruction of Hindu homes and businesses, indicate an organized campaign with genocidal intent. This is not random violence; the sheer number and frequency of these incidents suggest a deliberate and coordinated effort to eradicate Hindus from Bangladesh. The international community must recognize these signs and take action before it is too late.
The CIHS report documents approximately 57 incidents targeting Hindus from June 14, 2024, to August 6, 2024, revealing a deeply troubling escalation in violence against the Hindu community in Bangladesh. The findings indicate a clear and disturbing pattern of targeted attacks on both individuals and religious sites. These actions go beyond random violence; they represent a deliberate effort to instill fear, marginalize the Hindu population, and systematically dismantle their cultural and religious heritage. The objective behind these atrocities appears to be the complete destruction of the Hindu community, qualifying this as a case of genocide.
June 2024: On June 14, 2024, in Laxmipur, Bangladesh, a distressing incident occurred when a 14-year-old Hindu minor girl was abducted from Galyarchar village. The following day, June 15, in Dhaka, a Hindu family residing in the Lalbagh area faced a brutal attack. Their home was ransacked, and family members were beaten by assailants.
A particularly severe case of vandalism was reported on June 25 in Chittagong, where extremists targeted a Hindu temple. Idols were destroyed, and sacred items were desecrated. Shortly thereafter, on June 23, in Madaripur, Hindu homes and a temple were set ablaze after being vandalized.
July 2024 : The violence continued into July. On July 10, in Narayanganj, an Islamist mob set a Hindu-owned shop on fire, with nearby Hindu homes also coming under attack. This was followed by a significant attack on July 14 in Dhaka, where Islamists targeted Hindu minorities, resulting in extensive damage and injuries. On July 20, Barisal witnessed violent clashes that specifically targeted Hindu businesses and homes. Temples in the area were also vandalized.
August 2024: The most concentrated series of attacks occurred in August. On August 4, Rangpur saw the assassination of Hindu councilor Kajal Roy, and both ISKCON and Kali temples were vandalized. In Noakhali on the same day, Islamists attacked Hindu homes, burned bikes, and set residences ablaze. That day also saw an attack on Hindu reporter Pradip Bhowmik, the editor of “Amader Sirajganj” newspaper, in Sirajganj. In Noakhali, Islamists further threatened a Hindu girl with rape, attacked other Hindu homes, and set vehicles on fire.
Later on August 4, Rangpur witnessed the lynching of Hindu Awami League leader Haradhan Roy and his nephew by Islamists in Ward 4, under Parshuram Police Station. In Meherpur, the ISKCON center was set ablaze.
On August 5, violence spread across Bangladesh. In Feni District, the Durga Mandir in Banshpara was set on fire. Patuakhali saw the killing of two Hindu brothers in Baufall. Moulvibazar reported the arson of the Notun Kali Temple.
By August 6, attacks were reported across numerous districts. In Chittagong, Hindu shops were looted. The BHBC Unity Council reported attacks on minority communities in 29 districts. Sherpur experienced attacks and arson at a temple in Nalitabari Upazila, and similar incidents occurred at the house of Ariful in Bhimshankar village. Sylhet faced attacks, arson, and vandalism at multiple locations, including the houses of Amit Biswas in Chhatak and Jiban Chandra Das in Anirban Das.
Further violence was reported in Dinajpur, Naogaon, and Netrakona, where Hindu homes and temples were vandalized. Comilla saw attacks on the house of Paritosh and a temple at the house of Gopal Sen. Narsingdi, Jessore, Khulna, and Magura also experienced severe attacks on Hindu properties and individuals. In Bagerhat and Barisal, Hindu homes and temples were attacked and vandalized.
The violence persisted with attacks in Pabna, Bogra, Panchagarh, Moulvibazar, and Thakurgaon. In Narayanganj, the houses of Binod Chandra Saha and Nimai Das were attacked. Tangail and Gazipur also reported vandalism and arson targeting Hindu properties.
Attacks continued in Fatikchhari, Kushtia, Khulna, Jhenaidah, Mymensingh, Brahmanbaria, Gopalganj, Rajshahi, and Kurigram, where Hindu temples and homes faced significant damage.
Urgent Call for International Intervention
The CIHS report calls for urgent international intervention to address the crisis and protect the Hindu population in Bangladesh. It urges the United Nations and global human rights organizations to investigate the incidents and hold those responsible accountable. Diplomatic pressure should be applied to the Bangladeshi government to ensure the protection of its Hindu citizens and prevent further escalation of violence.
“Immediate and decisive action is required to protect this vulnerable population and to hold those responsible accountable for their crimes,” the report concludes. “The time for action is now, before this crisis escalates further and more lives are lost.”
Recommendations for the Interim Government of Bangladesh
The report outlines several recommendations for the interim government of Bangladesh, including:
Immediate Protection and Security Measures: Deploy security forces to protect Hindu neighborhoods, temples, and businesses.
Accountability and Judicial Action: Ensure transparent investigations and prosecution of perpetrators.
Restoration and Compensation: Rebuild destroyed infrastructure and compensate victims.
Engagement with International Bodies: Collaborate with international human rights organizations to protect religious minorities.
Public Reassurance: Communicate regularly with the public, condemning the violence and reassuring all religious communities of their safety.
The CIHS emphasizes that the interim government’s actions in the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the cycle of violence continues or ends.
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