Following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation, Bangladesh is witnessing a disturbing surge in violence targeting Hindu communities. Islamic fundamentalist groups have launched attacks on Hindu temples, businesses, and residential areas across the country, with numerous reports of homes being set on fire. Video footage has surfaced showing soldiers dismantling statues of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the nation’s founding father, in military cantonments, while other fundamentalists have been seen destroying sculptures, including those of the revered poet Rabindranath Tagore.
Witnesses have shared accounts of numerous incidents that underscore the severity of the situation. In Sherpur district, a small Hindu neighborhood was engulfed in flames overnight, with all homes and temples set ablaze. By morning, local Hindu-owned shops had been vandalized, leaving many families destitute and facing an uncertain future. Similar incidents are being reported across the country.
Violence has also escalated in Dhaka, particularly at night, when mobs reportedly target Hindu homes, neighborhoods, and temples. Residents from various regions have reported the movement of these mobs. Police have abandoned several stations, allowing Islamist groups to seize weapons, which are then used to intimidate and kill Hindus.
One resident described how a Jihadist confronted their family, complaining about the sound of Hindu prayers, which he claimed were intolerable. The family was forced to demonstrate that they had not yet performed their daily prayers that day.
Another individual reported that her family has been in hiding since August 5th due to threats against her father, a press council member and the president of two temples. Their home was also vandalised.
University students from Hindu communities have shared similar experiences. One student recounted how armed extremists attacked their area, looting and damaging temples. Another reported significant losses after their family’s business center was destroyed, resulting in damages estimated at 1 million BDT.
In a particularly harrowing incident, a Hindu student reported that the 16-year-old daughter of a Hindu government officer was kidnapped while on her way to tuition classes. Similar reports of Hindu girls being abducted are emerging from multiple sources across the country. These
jihadists are specifically targeting prominent Hindu families and government officers, engaging in kidnappings, looting properties, and spreading fear throughout these communities.
Several families have fled their homes due to the increasing violence. Reports of sexual violence and forced conversions of Hindu girls are emerging from across the country, with families taking extreme measures to protect their daughters, including hiding them in safer locations.
In response to the violence, many Hindus are attempting to flee to India, but their efforts have been thwarted by the Border Security Force (BSF). These refugees, having already suffered brutal attacks in their villages, now find themselves stranded. Thousands of homes have been looted, and the total value of destroyed properties runs into millions of USD. Local extremist groups affiliated with the BNP-Jamaat are reportedly extorting prominent Hindus for protection money, and there have been instances of homes being set on fire with the residents still inside.
Despite the escalating crisis, law enforcement and military forces have provided minimal assistance. In some cases, the military has staged superficial efforts to protect Hindu temples, with photographs circulated on social media in an apparent attempt to convince international observers that the situation is under control. However, these actions have done little to alleviate the fear and insecurity felt by the Hindu community.
Reports have also surfaced of Hindu police officers being targeted and killed, snatched from the protection of the military. The military’s response to protect these officers has been described as minimal, further exacerbating the community’s vulnerability.
As the violence intensifies, there is growing concern that the situation may lead to a prolonged and silent genocide. The 150 million Hindus along with other Christian and Buddists minorities in Bangladesh are living in constant fear, with many seeing migration as their only hope for survival. The international community is urgently called upon to take notice of the crisis, as the situation continues to deteriorate. Hindu villages and areas are burning, and Hindus are crying out for help in Bangladesh. Where is the international authority—the protector of humanity?
Comments