Violence Against Minorities In Bangladesh: Rampant Vandalism, 2 Murders Since Hasina's Ouster, Says Report
Since August 5, over 1000 properties of members of minority communities have been attacked and two people from the Hindu community have been killed in incidents of communal violence in Bangladesh.
The political upsurge in Bangladesh that led to the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resulted in incidents of violence against minorities, particularly the Hindu community. Since the fall of the Awami League government on the afternoon of August 5, at least 1,068 houses and business establishments of the minority community have been reportedly targeted and damaged in communal attacks.
Of the 1,068 houses and business establishments that were attacked, the owners of at least 506 were involved in Awami League politics, according to a report by Bangladesh daily Prothom Alo. Apart from that, at least 22 places of worship have also reportedly come under attack.
The report said that most of the attacks took place in the country’s southwestern division Khulna, where around 295 homes and business establishments of the minority community were destroyed. At least 219 houses and businesses were also targetted in Rangpur, 183 in Mymensingh, 155 in Rajshahi, 79 in Dhaka, 68 in Barishal, 45 in Chattogram and 25 in Sylhet, the report said. The intensity of the damage varied at different places. The attacks reportedly began on the afternoon of August 5 and were more frequent on the first two days.
Further, the report said that at least two people from the Hindu community were also killed in communal violence in the country. One of the deceased was Mrinal Kanti Chatterjee, a retired schoolteacher who was beaten and hacked to death on the night of August 5 in the village Chhoto Paikpara of Rakhalgachhi union in Bagerhat Sadar. His wife and daughter were also reportedly injured in the attack. The other deceased was Swapan Kumar Biswas of Paikgachha in Khulna. He was beaten up, tortured and killed on 8 August, while on his way home.
Citing a report by the Bangladesh Hindu Christian Bouddha Oikya Parishad released on August 20, Prothom Alo reported that minorities in Bangladesh faced over 200 incidents of violence in around 50 districts after the fall of the Hasina government on August 5.
Apart from Hindus, other minorities were also targeted in Bangladesh in Hasina's ouster, including the Christians, the Ahmadiyya Muslim community and members of the ethnic minority. Citing figures provided by the Bangladesh Christian Association, the report said Church of Bangladesh in Naogaon, the Evangelica Holiness Church in Dinajpur, the collection booth of the Christian Cooperative Credit Union in Madanpur of Narayanganj, and three Christian houses in Gournadi of Barishal, one in Khulna city, one on Halwaghat of Mymensingh, and one in Parbatipur are among the establishments that were targeted by miscriants. A statue of Mother Mary was also reportedly damaged in the Nijpara Mission in Thakurgaon and threats and attempts were made to attack a number of missionary schools and colleges.
Citing the figures provided by Kapaeeng Foundation, a human rights organisation for the ethnic minority community, the report said that there have been at least 10 attacks on the ethnic minority communities in Dinajpur, Rajshahi, Naogaon, Chapainawabganj and Thakurgaon.
"It was said that houses were damaged in two of the attacks, though no figures were mentioned. There were also two incidents where land was grabbed and fish were stolen from ponds. Kapaeeng Foundation also said that the statues of Sidhu Murmu and Kanhu Murmu, two historical characters of the Santal rebellion against the British, were damaged," the report said.
In connection with the Ahmadiyya community, at least 137 houses and six Ahmadiyya mosques were damaged in attacks in Panchagarh, Rangpur, Rajshahi, Nilphamari, Madartek in Dhaka, Sherpur and Mymensingh.
As per the report, people said most of the attacks were from the 'victory processions' after the fall of the Hansina government. The attackers included certain local extremists and supporters of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jamaat and some religious groups.
What Bangladesh Is Doing To Curb Violence
To address the violence, the BNP, Jamaat as well as students and social organisations decided to guard the houses, business establishments and places of worship of the minority community from August 6. Political parties also issued statements against the attacks.
VIDEO | Bangladesh: Murals themed on anti-government protests make the city resemble an open-air art gallery in Dhaka.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 10, 2024
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After the interim government headed by Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus was sworn in on 8 August, it held a meeting with 40 representatives of various minority community organisations including the Hindu Christian Bouddha Oikya Parishad. After the meeting, he said, “We want to build up a Bangladesh that is just one family. That is the basic premise. There will be no differences within this family, and the question of divisions will not arise. We are the people of Bangladesh, Bangladeshis.”
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