Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, is preparing to receive its first consignment of rice imported from India. This development comes at a time when Bangladesh appears to be leaning closer to Pakistan, a notable shift considering India’s pivotal role in aiding Bangladesh during the 1971 Liberation War and securing its recognition on the global stage.
Strengthening Ties with Pakistan
In a move indicative of changing geopolitical priorities, Bangladesh recently welcomed two ships from Karachi port. On November 13, 2024, a container-carrying ship arrived at Chittagong port, marking the first such occurrence since the country’s independence. This unprecedented development signals a significant realignment in Bangladesh’s foreign policy, suggesting a growing proximity to Pakistan despite the historical context of their tumultuous relations.
Amidst these developments, India continues to extend its assistance to Bangladesh. According to a report in the Times of India, the ship ‘MV Tanais Dream’ is set to dock at Chauddagram Port on December 26. The vessel is carrying 24,690 metric tonnes of parboiled rice, imported under an open trade agreement. This shipment is intended to address Bangladesh’s domestic shortages and reflects India’s ongoing commitment to providing critical support during crises.
This report details 19 instances where India has extended aid and support to Bangladesh during its times of crisis, offering assistance during natural disasters, economic struggles, and political turmoil. Despite these acts of goodwill, Bangladesh has, in turn, subjected its minority communities, particularly Hindus, to extreme persecution. This persecution has manifested in the most heinous forms, with disturbing frequency. Every day, reports emerge of young girls being abducted and raped, while sacred temples are vandalised and set on fire. Hindus and other religious minorities have been forced to leave their ancestral homes, fleeing violence and discrimination. These communities, who once fought alongside Bangladesh for its independence, now find themselves driven out of the land they helped build.
India’s Assistance to Bangladesh: A detailed account
On February 1, 2024, as part of the interim Budget for the fiscal year 2023-24, India announced a grant of Rs 130 crore to Bangladesh. This financial aid was allocated to support various developmental initiatives, highlighting India’s commitment to fostering Bangladesh’s growth trajectory.
Later in the year, on December 23, 2024, Bangladesh’s, Muhammad Yunus, approached India for emergency assistance amid domestic shortages. Responding promptly, India extended support by providing 50,000 tons of rice, a critical intervention to ensure food security in Bangladesh during challenging times.
In a landmark contribution to infrastructure development, on September 6, 2022, India sanctioned a 9.5 billion dollar concessional loan to Bangladesh. This financial aid supported numerous connectivity projects, including the Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant, which added 1320 MW to Bangladesh’s national grid, further strengthening the country’s energy infrastructure.
During the Ukraine conflict in March 2022, India demonstrated its dedication to regional solidarity through “Operation Ganga.” On March 9, 2022, the Indian government successfully evacuated nine Bangladeshi citizens stranded in the war-torn region, reaffirming its commitment to assisting neighbouring countries in times of crisis.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, India extended substantial support to Bangladesh. On September 2, 2021, the INS Savitri docked at Chattogram, delivering vital medical oxygen plants to bolster Bangladesh’s healthcare infrastructure during a critical phase of the pandemic. This act of goodwill was followed by India’s donation of 1.2 million AstraZeneca vaccine doses on March 27, 2021, coinciding with Bangladesh’s 50th independence anniversary.
In the same spirit of healthcare collaboration, India gifted 109 life-saving ambulances to Bangladesh on March 27, 2021. This gesture, spearheaded by the Indian Prime Minister, emphasised the importance of bilateral cooperation in improving healthcare accessibility and emergency medical services.
India’s support for Bangladesh extends back decades. In 1971, during the Liberation War, India provided decisive military assistance to the Mukti Bahini, contributing to Bangladesh’s independence. India’s intervention led to the surrender of over 93,000 Pakistani troops, marking a turning point in the region’s history and underscoring India’s unwavering support for Bangladesh’s sovereignty.
Finally, in the aftermath of a devastating cyclone on November 19, 2007, India responded with a 1 million dollar relief package, comprising emergency supplies such as food, medicines, tents, and blankets. This timely intervention provided crucial aid to the affected populations, demonstrating India’s solidarity with Bangladesh during natural disasters.
India helps Bangladesh, Bangaldesh kills Hindus
While India’s assistance to Bangladesh underscores its commitment to regional stability, the treatment of Hindus in Bangladesh presents a starkly contrasting narrative. Over the decades, Hindus in Bangladesh have faced systemic violence, discrimination, and persecution. In 2024 alone, there have been numerous reports of attacks on Hindu temples, forced conversions, and targeted violence against individuals.
This juxtaposition between India’s continued support and the plight of Hindus in Bangladesh raises critical questions about the long-term dynamics of the bilateral relationship. On one hand, India has provided unwavering support, including the current rice consignment, yet on the other, Hindus in Bangladesh remain vulnerable to recurring waves of violence.
Here are ten incidents of attack on Hindus:
On December 21, 2024, a horrifying crime shocked the Natore Sadar Upazila region as the body of Taru Kumar Das, a 55-year-old temple priest, was discovered near Kashadampur cremation grounds. His hands and feet were bound, a clear indication of foul play. Before murdering the priest, the attackers looted the temple’s donation boxes, escaping with 200,000 Bangladeshi Taka.
The day before, on December 20, 2024, in the districts of Mymensingh and Sylhet, three Hindu temples were targeted in a coordinated attack. Miscreants vandalised four idols, leaving the local Hindu community in despair. Lalal Uddin, aged 27, was later arrested for his involvement in the attacks, shedding light on the alarming trend of targeted violence against religious minorities.
In another troubling incident on December 18, 2024, a Hindu family in Kushtia District was forced to convert to Islam under life-threatening duress. The family, facing relentless intimidation, had no choice but to leave their faith to ensure their survival, marking yet another instance of religious coercion in the region.
On December 14, 2024, Akash Das, a Hindu youth from Sunamganj District, became the centre of violent outrage following accusations of blasphemy over a social media post. Rioters unleashed chaos, attacking Hindu homes and businesses, causing widespread destruction and leaving the community fearful for their safety.
Just days earlier, on December 11, 2024, a 17-year-old Hindu girl from Panchagarh fled to India to escape threats and physical assault by local extremists. Her journey highlighted the vulnerabilities faced by young Hindu women in the region. She was later rescued by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) and handed over to the local police in West Bengal, bringing some relief to her distraught family.
The persecution of Hindus continued into September, with major incidents unfolding in Dhaka. On September 6, 2024, two ISKCON temples were set ablaze by a mob. Devotional items and idols were reduced to ashes, devastating the religious community and causing irreparable cultural loss.
On September 5, 2024, tensions escalated along the Assam-Bangladesh border as the Bangladeshi Border Guards (BGB) disrupted the construction of the Mansa Devi temple in Shibpur. Claiming the land as controversial, the BGB’s actions sparked protests from local residents and the Indian Border Security Forces (BSF), emphasising the delicate nature of border-related disputes involving religious structures.
Another grievous attack occurred on September 3, 2024, in the Doarabazar area of Sunamganj District. Rioters vandalised 130 Hindu homes and 20 temples, responding to allegations of blasphemy related to a social media post. The destruction left families homeless and deeply shaken.
In Chittagong, on September 2, 2024, a lawyer defending Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das was brutally assaulted by a mob. His office was ransacked, and he sustained severe injuries. This assault highlighted the risks faced by individuals who advocate for minority communities in an increasingly hostile environment.
On September 1, 2024, a Hindu tourist from West Bengal was attacked in Dhaka after his religious identity was revealed. Stripped of his belongings, including his mobile phone and cash, the tourist was left traumatised by the hostility directed at him solely for his faith.
On August 5, 2024, in Meherpur, a Hindu girl was forcibly buried under Islamic customs after being abducted, with her family denied justice. On the same day, in Kushtia, a mob vandalised the historic Maharaja Birendra Library, burning over 5,000 rare books and cultural artefacts.
Earlier in the year, on May 13, 2024, in Sylhet, a Hindu temple’s land was forcibly occupied, and protesting priests were physically assaulted. During the Durga Puja celebration on October 11, 2024, in Dhaka, the festivities were disrupted when petrol bombs were thrown at the pandal, injuring several worshippers.
Also on August 5, 2024, in Rangpur, two Hindu councillors were killed during riots orchestrated by extremists. The following day, August 6, 2024, in Dhaka, the Indira Gandhi Cultural Center was vandalised and set on fire, destroying thousands of artefacts.
On September 7, 2024, in Chittagong, a Ganesh idol procession was attacked with boiling water and bricks, injuring many participants. On November 20, 2024, in Barguna, a 13-year-old Hindu girl was abducted and raped by her teacher, with the authorities failing to act, sparking outrage.
Finally, on November 24, 2024, in Dhaka, the Kali temple was desecrated by Islamists who stole a sacred crown gifted by India’s Prime Minister.
These incidents, each deeply troubling, underline the persistent violence and systematic targeting of Hindus in Bangladesh, calling for urgent international attention to safeguard minority communities.
While India continues to act as a reliable neighbour, the internal challenges within Bangladesh—both in terms of its political realignments and its treatment of minority communities—highlight the pressing need for introspection and dialogue.
