What is Happening to Religious Minorities in Bangladesh After the Resignation of Sheikh Hasina?

By Ananya Amit

Since the change in political leadership in Bangladesh, the safety of religious minorities, especially Hindus, has become a sensitive issue. Over the past four decades, whenever the Awami League lost the elections or was removed from power,  persecution of Hindus have been reported. The first significant attack on Hindus in Bangladesh occurred in 1992 during the demolition of the Babri mosque in India, when the BNP government, led by Khaleda Zia, was in power. Further large-scale attacks occurred after the Awami League’s defeat in the 2001 elections when the BNP won. Accusations were made against individuals associated with BNP politics for these attacks. Most recently, after the resignation of Sheikh Hasina and her departure to India on August 5th, there have been allegations of attacks on Hindus, with one organization claiming 278 incidents in 48 districts and another reporting at least 205 incidents in 52 districts.

An organization called the “Minority Rights Movement” has demanded the formation of a “Minority Commission” to investigate the attacks on houses and places of worship of the Hindu community in different parts of the country. However, the veracity of these claims made by the organizations could not be verified. It was also tricky to impartially verify how many of these cases were attacked due to religious identity and how many attacks were carried out on people close to the government out of anger. Although there is a debate about the number of attacks that took place after the fall and escape of Sheikh Hasina, there is an atmosphere of fear and panic that Hindus are living in, which can be seen in various places.

Rana Dasgupta, Secretary of the Hindu Buddhist Unity Council, feels that a culture of impunity has been created in Bangladesh for attacks on Hindus. Those involved in these attacks have never been prosecuted, and as a result, it continues. “They are the ones who pounce on Hindus who do not believe in religious coexistence.” He said this trend has been going on since the Pakistan era. India, Hinduism, and Awami League these three issues are thought of in one line, according to Mr. Gupta. He admits that for the last 15 years, the Awami League has tried to eliminate the “discrimination of the past” in the recruitment and promotion of government jobs. The proportion of minorities in Bangladesh is eight percent of the total population, but he mentioned that appointments and promotions were not done in that proportion. “When the minorities were seen, they started shouting again that the minorities are eating everything.”

Two non-governmental research organizations in Bangladesh reported that 70 percent of violence against religious minorities in the country is land-based, often involving the destruction of minority property or religious places of worship. The report highlighted attacks for political reasons and for taking over Hindu property, with little justice for the victims. Additionally, it mentioned the political manipulation of minority issues by different parties for their interests.

On August 8, Professor Kaberi Gayen from the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism at Dhaka University shared a post by one of the department’s students on her Facebook page. The student, Srabasti Bandopadhyay, sought shelter in people’s homes following the recent unrest in Bangladesh after the change of government. In her post, Kaberi Gayen expressed concern about the safety of minorities in the country due to reported attacks following the political transition. She emphasized the importance of protecting the rights and safety of all citizens, regardless of their religious or ethnic backgrounds. Rana Dasgupta reported a decrease in the number of attacks on minorities since the initial unrest. However, he highlighted the need to hold the perpetrators accountable and ensure that displaced people regain their property and livelihood. Since August 5, there have been reports of violence targeting members of the minority Hindu community, including attacks on their homes, businesses, and places of worship in various districts across the country.

Although the situation has calmed down since the interim government took office, sporadic incidents of violence continue to occur to this day. One such incident involved an attack on musician Rahul Anand’s house in Dhaka, where his home and musical instruments were set on fire. Although initially thought to be religiously motivated, it was later clarified that the attack was not related to religious or communal reasons. Several temples, including the Dhanuka Mansabari temple in Shariatpur, were also targeted, resulting in looting and destruction. Additionally, the central crematorium in Dinajpur was demolished during this unrest.

The text discusses an open letter addressed to Interim Government Chief Dr. Muhammad Yunus detailing attacks on minority communities in Bangladesh since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government. The attacks have resulted in fatalities, injuries, and vandalism in various districts across the country. The interim government officials have responded, emphasizing the need for justice and unity while addressing concerns about violence against minorities. Additionally, there have been efforts to ensure that perpetrators of these attacks are brought to justice. Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hussain clarified that political, not religious, reasons drove the attacks. Moreover, the Ministry of Religion has established a hotline to report any further attacks on religious institutions; lastly, during a meeting with the Indian High Commissioner, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Tauhid Hossain assured that efforts would be made to protect the minority communities.

India has responded to reports of attacks on minorities in Bangladesh, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing concern for the safety of Hindus following the fall of the government in Bangladesh. He emphasized the need for security and assurance for Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. The Indian government has set up a committee to monitor the India-Bangladesh border situation and ensure the safety of Indians staying in Bangladesh. However, international and Bangladeshi media report that some news and information from Indian media and social media may be exaggerated or misinformed. Bangladeshi interim government chief Dr. Yunus has invited Indian journalists to visit Bangladesh and report on the ground to understand the issues of minority protection.

According to many sources, the recent attacks in Bangladesh are believed to be politically motivated rather than communal, with some attributing the attacks to the aftermath of the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government. The Awami League and their supporters, as well as leaders of the anti-discrimination student movement, have been accused of targeting minorities, particularly Hindus, due to their association with the previous government. On the other hand, leaders of the anti-discrimination student movement are blaming the attacks on Hindu minorities on supporters of the ousted Awami League.

After the fall of the Hasina government in Bangladesh, there have been disturbing incidents of attacks on the homes and places of worship of minorities. Rights groups and foreign diplomats have expressed concerns. Following the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government amid mass protests in Bangladesh, there have been reports of attacks on places of worship, homes, and businesses of minorities. Additionally, a Hindu man was fatally beaten in the southern Bagerhat district, as reported by the news agency AFP, quoting a hospital official speaking on condition of anonymity. Daily Prothom Alo also reported attacks on Hindu temples in Natore, Dhamrai in Dhaka, Kalapara in Patuakhali, as well as in Shariatpur, Faridpur, and the homes of minorities in Jessore, Noakhali, Meherpur, Chandpur, and Khulna. Furthermore, 40 Hindu shops were vandalized in Dinajpur. In another incident, the Ahmadiyya place of worship in Taraganj of Rangpur was attacked and vandalized. Iftekharuzzaman, head of Transparency International Bangladesh, stated to AFP, “Such attacks on minorities are against the fundamental spirit of the anti-discrimination student movement.” Moreover, the United States Embassy in Dhaka expressed concerns about the reports of attacks on religious minorities and religious sites in Bangladesh. It issued a call for peace through a social media post.

The heads of the European Union Missions in Bangladesh have also expressed concern over attacks on religious worship and minorities, and they supported the efforts of students and others agitating for the protection of minorities. Their message emphasized the need for all parties to choose the path of moderation to protect the fundamental rights of all people and stop sectarian violence (source Deutsche Welle)forced Resignations of Hindu teachers, government officials, college principals, and University Vice-chancellors. Over 50 headteachers, principals, and vice-chancellors have resigned or were forced to resign. Some affected individuals include: 1. Gautam Chandra Pal, Department of Chemistry, Azimpur Girls School and College, Azimpur, Dhaka. 2. Bhavesh Chandra Roy, Principal, Police Line School and College, Thakurgaon. 3. Sonali Rani Das, Associate Professor (Nursing), Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, Moghbazar Dhaka. 4. Professor Dr. Satya Prasad Majumder, Vice-Chancellor, BUET. 5. Professor Dr. Banga Kamal Bose, Principal, Gazi Medical College, Khulna. 6. Prof. Dr. Kanta Roy Mimi, Principal (former) and Head of Department, Department of Anatomy, M Abdur Rahim Medical College, Dinajpur. 7. Adrish Aditya Mandal, Principal, Kapotaksha Mahavidyalaya, Koira Khulna. 8. Professor Amit Roy Chowdhury, Treasurer, Khulna University. 9. Suben Kumar, Resident Teacher, Rajshahi University. 10. Dilip Kumar, Resident Teacher, Rajshahi University. 11. Acting Principal Keka Roy Chowdhury, Vikarunnisa School and College, Bailey Road. 12. Professor Dr. Deepika Rani Sarkar, Begum Fazilatunnessa Provost of Mujib Hall, Jagannath University. 13. Professor Dr. Mihir Ranjan Halder, Vice-Chancellor, Khulna University of Engineering Technology (KUET). 14. Professor Soumitra Shekhar, Vice-Chancellor, National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam University, Trishal. 15. Radha Govinda, Head Teacher, Ashraf Ali Multipurpose High School of Dhaljora Union of Kaliakair Upazila. 16. Dipan Dutta, Principal, Kishoreganj Nursing College. 17. Beauty Mazumder, Principal, Feni Nursing College. 18. Alpana Biswas, Principal, Jahrul Hall Nursing Institute. 19. Khuku Biswas, Principal, Jessore Nursing Institute. 20. Tapsee Bhattacharya, Principal, Anwar Khan Modern Nursing College. 21. Professor Benu Kumar Dey, Vice-Chancellor.

The influential US media, Washington Post, reported this information on Thursday, citing US and Indian officials. It is said that US diplomats publicly criticized Sheikh Hasina for sending thousands of opposition activists and critics to jail before the elections in Bangladesh last January. The Biden administration-imposed sanctions against a police unit of the Sheikh Hasina-led administration in connection with extrajudicial abductions and killings. At the same time, Washington threatened to impose visa restrictions on Bangladeshis who undermined democracy or violated human rights. After that, Indian officials held a series of meetings with the US officials and demanded that the pro-democracy statements of the US should be reduced on the Bangladesh issue.

Indian officials have argued that Bangladesh will become a breeding ground for Islamist groups that threaten India’s national security if the opposition is allowed to gain power through open elections. ” You can compare it to the level of democracy, but it’s a much more serious problem for us, concerned with existence. We have had numerous conversations with the Americans, where we have said that this is our major concern,” an Indian official said. ‘”You cannot take us as a strategic partner if we don’t have some strategic consensus. Ultimately, the Joe Biden administration substantially toned down criticism of the Bangladesh issue and suspended threats of further sanctions against Sheikh Hasina’s government, disappointing many people in Bangladesh. US officials say it is a decisive decision with little to do with Indian pressure. Many aspects of the bilateral talks between US and Indian officials have not been disclosed.

The Prime Minister of Bangladesh was forced to flee to India after protesters defied the army’s curfew order and began marching towards Sheikh Hasina’s official residence on August 5th. Now, New Delhi and Washingtonpolicymakers on both sidesare forced to confront whether they have mishandled Bangladesh. There is always a balancing act to be done in Bangladesh because there are many places where the situation is complicated. You want to work with partners in ways that are not consistent with what the American people expect,’ said one US official who, like several others interviewed, spoke on condition of anonymity because of the diplomatic sensitivity of the matter. In the months leading up to last January’s election, the US administration was divided over how to handle Bangladesh.

The then ambassador to Bangladesh, Peter Haas, and other embassy and foreign office officials argued for a stricter stance against Sheikh Hasina. Officials related to the issue said that the country’s officials gave their opinion in favor of a tough stance on Bangladesh, especially since US President Joe Biden continued to campaign for the US foreign policy to restore democracy. The Washington Post reported that Ambassador Peter Haas declined to comment because he is retired.

India is struggling to cope with the sudden loss of one of its closest allies. At the same time, Indian media has been speculating that Washington was plotting to remove Sheikh Hasina from power, with whom the United States has had a strained relationship for some time. However, US officials have vehemently denied involvement in Sheikh Hasina’s removal from power. Other officials in New Delhi say that India is to blame for supporting an authoritarian ruler for so long. A former senior national security official of India stated that supporting Sheikh Hasina made sense, but New Delhi did not understand the situation. The former Indian official said, “Everyone from Dhaka was uniformly reacting, expressing unprecedented anti-India sentiment. Yet we assumed Sheikh Hasina had complete control over the country’s administration and forces.
“Formation of minority commission” is the demand of time. The justification for forming a National Minorities Commission and a Ministry of Minorities to address the persecution of minority communities, illegal occupation of their land, and communal violence cannot be dismissed any longer. The minority community has been making such demands for a long time. Although the conscious community expressed solidarity with the demands, no visible initiative to form a commission or a separate ministry was ever seen. Before the 2018 elections, the General Assembly of Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council presented various demands to all political parties, including the formation of a National Minority Commission, the formulation of a law for the protection of minorities, the formulation of a law against discrimination, and the formation of a minority ministry.

wami League included other demands in the election manifesto, except for forming a minority ministry. However, after the formation of the government, the Awami League government did not implement the election promise to fulfill some demands, including the formation of the minority commission. This is utterly unacceptable from the Awami League built by Shaheed Suhrawardy, Maulana Bhasani, and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib, which has been carrying the flag of progress, democracy, and non-communal politics for more than seven decades! The torture and oppression of the minorities are going on one after the other, which cannot be ignored in any way in Bangladesh.

In the 53 years since gaining independence, the country has failed to establish any minority protection law, minority commission, or minority ministry. Implementing these measures would improve the country’s international image and alleviate the suffering of ordinary people. With these laws and commissions, minorities would have a reliable platform to voice their grievances, demand investigations, and access support. As a result, communal violence would decrease and perpetrators would be held accountable. The state must prioritize ensuring the security of minorities, promoting their economic and cultural development, protecting their civil rights and fundamental freedoms, and upholding human rights. Death is an unavoidable reality for all human beings, yet unexpected deaths bring immense sorrow and lifelong suffering for the victim’s family.

Only those directly affected can truly understand the depth of this loss. The recent violence in Bangladesh resulting in fatalities must be thoroughly investigated, and the perpetrators brought to justice. It is essential to send a strong message to criminals through strict punishment, which acts as a deterrent and contributes to maintaining stability within the state. According to a national newspaper report, 326 people lost their lives in just three days from August 4 to 6. This includes 23 students, 87 supporters of the Awami League, 12 supporters of the BNP, and 36 policemen. The report also reveals that 580 deaths occurred during the ongoing violence from July 16 to August 11. Additionally, widespread incidents of looting, house burnings, destruction of Liberation War memorials, persecution of minorities, and land grabbing are taking place throughout the country amidst this ongoing violence. Everyone must remain vigilant and demonstrate caution to swiftly restore law and order and create a safe and hopeful environment.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Falker Turk, has received an official invitation from Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus to conduct an impartial and independent inquiry into human rights violations in Bangladesh from July 1 to August 15. The fact-finding team, appointed by the Office of the High Commissioner, will report on human rights abuses during protests and abuse of power by law enforcement agencies and provide a root cause analysis, recommendations for justice, accountability, and long-term reforms. The fact-finding team has received assurances of full cooperation from the interim government and law enforcement agencies for their work.

The author is a Dkaba-based Researcher, writing under a pseudonym for security reasons.

Aditi Bhaduri

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