In the wake of escalating violence against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh, Nilay Kumar Biswas, a 26-year-old former student of Dhaka University, finds himself gripped by anxiety and unable to sleep, fearing for the safety of his family. Speaking to The Print, Biswas shared his distress over the violence faced by Hindus following the fall of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. What began as a nationwide protest against the controversial government job quota system has devolved into a brutal campaign targeting Hindu communities across the country.
The unrest initially erupted in June, with widespread protests demanding reform of the quota system that reserved 56 per cent of government jobs for specific groups, including 30 per cent for descendants of 1971 Liberation War freedom fighters. Many students, including a significant number from the Hindu community, participated in the movement, viewing it as a fight for fairness and equality. Their efforts culminated in the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina—a victory that has since transformed into a nightmare for those who fought for change.
Since Hasina’s resignation, violence against Hindu minorities has surged. Members of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the outlawed Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami have been accused of hijacking the protests to incite attacks against Hindus. Reports of assaults on Hindu homes, temples, and businesses have flooded social media, heightening fears across the community.
“At night, I can’t sleep because of distress calls from friends and family who live outside Dhaka,” Biswas lamented. Once feeling relatively safe in the capital, he now fears for the lives of his loved ones as the administration and police remain largely ineffective against the violent mobs. “Most police stations remain unmanned, and as murderous mobs go on a rampage, the ordinary Bangladeshi watches helplessly. The minority Hindu community feels especially vulnerable at such times because we are easy targets,” he added.
Biswas, who recently completed his master’s degree in social science from Dhaka University’s Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, expressed profound disillusionment. He recalled how Hindu students had stood alongside their Muslim peers, united in their demand to end the quota system. “Hindu students have spilled blood for a cause that united an entire nation,” he said. “Today, as anarchy descends on Bangladesh, Hindu temples are being attacked, our houses are being looted and set on fire, our lives are in danger.”
The violence has left many Hindu students questioning their place in the country. Despite their significant contributions to the protests, they now face the brunt of the backlash. Biswas described how he and others have been left to plead for their lives and the safety of their families as Islamist mobs continue their violent campaign.
“It is the fellow Muslims who can protect us. Who else do we turn to?” he asked, capturing the desperation and fear pervading the Hindu community.
The ongoing violence has sparked widespread fear and uncertainty. Many, like Biswas, are calling for the establishment of an interim government to restore order and prevent further bloodshed. “Bangladesh needs a new beginning with Muslims, Hindus, and citizens of all other faiths,” he emphasised. The fear of further casualties and destruction looms large, with efforts to document the extent of the communal riots still ongoing.
Another student, Aaria Bhowmik, initially celebrated Sheikh Hasina’s resignation with enthusiasm, only to quickly realise the grim reality. In the early days of the protests, she posted celebratory photos on social media, expressing her support for the movement. But as the violence against Hindus escalated, she was forced to confront the harsh truth. “In protest, we stand united, irrespective of religion,” she wrote. “But now, as Hindus, we are being attacked. It’s time to raise our voices against this injustice.”
The tragic irony of the situation is not lost on the Hindu students who joined the protests with hopes of a better Bangladesh. They now find themselves at the mercy of radical elements, desperately seeking protection and justice in a country they once considered their own.
