Violence Against Hindus in Bangladesh

Introduction

The student protest ousted Sheikh Hasina as the PM of Bangladesh in August 2024; this unusual regime change has triggered violence and turmoil. Minority-represented organisations like the Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council (BHBCUC) and the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad (BPUP) presented data in an open letter to Muhammad Yunus, listing as many as 205 attacks against the minorities in 52 districts, especially against the Hindu’s which account for 8% of the total population, constituting the largest minority group in the country. This cycle of violence against minorities has instigated much more complex and increased setbacks in regional and international concerns and minority well-being. 

Background 

Bangladesh, in its journey for Independence from East Pakistan, represented itself as a Bengali nation based on Bengali language and culture, not on Islamic fundamentalism. This was further elaborated by the constitution adopted on 4th November 1972 by the Bangladesh parliament in its preamble paragraph 2; it accepted secularism along with nationalism, socialism, and democracy as state principles. Additionally, Islam was declared the state religion of Bangladesh on 7th June 1988, under Article 2 of Clause A, but with a provision to ensure the freedom of other religions to practice their faith. These factors promoted the practice of secularism, especially under the rule of the Awami League, a political party based on Bengali nationalism.

However, the principle of secularism was challenged when other Democratic parties like the BNP and the Jamaat-e-Islami came to power after the October 2001 election. These parties gather Islamist Radicals that desire to build a ‘nation-state’ free from other religious minorities, with instances of promoting their radicalism through attacks on Hindu voters who voted for the Awami League. The attacks were carried out in Ziodhara village, Deutala Bazaar, and damaged Hindu temples in Chandaikona Bazaar. However, with the return of the Awami League in 2009, Sheikh Hasina, as the PM of Bangladesh, promoted a more secular approach, and the Party’s close ties with India lent it a substantial basis. The recent ousting of Sheikh Hasina has brought back the customary tensions between the two religions.

The Violence

The attacks on secularism since the early 1940s have continued till today. As reported in the 1941 census, Hindus constituted 21% of the total population in East Bengal; however, according to the latest estimate, Hindus are now only 8%. According to the reports of the United Nations Human Rights (UNHR) Office, nearly 650 people have been killed and thousands affected by violence in Bangladesh between July and August 2024. The persisting conflict was heightened further by the recent incidents of attack on the Hindus covered up by a ban on  Hindu populated areas while scores of Hinduphobic radical Islamist groups assaulted  Hindu Protestors. Additionally, reports suggest that among the Islamist radicals, there are also Police and Military personnel who, in the name of maintaining law and order, are involved in the mayhem. Additionally, several reports highlight the fact that Islamic extremists are engaging in systematic offences against minorities, especially  Hindus, through mob violence, arson, and looting of shops, including jewellery shops, etc.

Given the ongoing signs from the ‘deep state’, it appears that every government apparatus is complicit in the persecution of minorities, especially the Hindus. In addition to this toxic environment under the appointed (and not elected) Muhammad Yunus’s leadership, other recent reports document the arrest of Hindu senior Monk Chinmay Krishna Das of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) on false charges on 25th November which brought about a massive outcry and protest by the Hindus. The protestors were reported to have been brutally attacked, their homes set on fire, and even cases of killings such as the murder of the Assistant Public Prosecutor Saiful Islam Alif.

International Response

The escalating violence against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh has sparked widespread concerns both in India and on the global stage. In India, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) strongly condemned the attacks on Hindus, citing arson, looting, and desecration of temples, while urging Bangladesh authorities to uphold the safety and rights of its minorities. While commenting on the vandalism at the Bangladeshi consulate in Agartala that happened amidst the protest over the arrest of Hindu leader Chinmoy Das, India called it deeply regrettable. The MEA has reiterated its demand for Bangladesh’s interim government to take decisive action for protecting minorities, reflecting the growing domestic anxiety over the issue.

Countries like the United States and the United Kingdom have also voiced an alarm on the global stage. US Deputy State Department Spokesperson Vedant Patel said, “The US continues to stress the need for respect for fundamental freedoms, religious freedom, and basic human rights in the countries it works with”.. Former USCIRF commissioner Johnnie Moore criticised global inaction and urged unified advocacy. When asked about the West’s “silence” on violence against religious minorities in Bangladesh, Moore said that when the Hindu community is persecuted, only a few people speak up about it. Meanwhile, the UK Parliament condemned the attacks on Hindu leaders and communities under the interim government of Muhammad Yunus, with MPs like Catherine West and Priti Patel describing the situation as “deeply concerning” and warning of potential future escalation.

Amidst this unrest, China has seized the opportunity to strengthen ties with Bangladesh by hosting a 14-member delegation of the Jamaat in Beijing. This strategic courtship signals Beijing’s growing influence in the region and further complicates the situation as Dhaka’s relations with India become increasingly strained. These developments underscore the urgent need for coordinated international action to address the humanitarian crisis and manage the shifting geopolitical landscape.

Conclusion

The ongoing violence in Bangladesh against religious minorities informs a more profound crisis rooted in historical tensions, political instability, and the erosion of secular principles. The ousting of Sheikh Hasina has catalysed the resurgence of extremist forces, gravely endangering the minorities in the region and straining both bilateral and multilateral relations. While several countries like India, the US, and the UK have condemned the violence,  there is no cohesive and decisive action. The situation puts the bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh under threat as the two countries are at loggerheads since the illegal ouster of Sheikh Hasina. There is a need for greater international diplomatic pressure on Dhaka since there is no compliance so far from Bangladesh’s ‘insurrectional’ government. Moreover, there is a need for robust humanitarian support and a long-term multilateral commitment that could help foster peace and inclusivity in the region.