In just a few weeks, more than 100 Hindus in Bangladesh have been killed in violent attacks by mobs. These attacks, described as “coordinated” by a Bangladesh-based NGO in contact with victims’ families, appear to be aimed at forcing Hindus to either convert to Islam or flee the country altogether.
Bangladesh’s Hindu community, which makes up about 8% of the population, has long faced challenges. However, the situation has dramatically worsened in recent weeks, especially since the departure of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5th. Hasina’s secular government had the support of many Hindus, which seems to have made them a target now that she’s gone. Islamist groups, who are opposed to Hasina’s policies, have taken advantage of the current political instability to strike at Hindus.
Attacks on a Large Scale
Sushanta Das Gupta, a human rights activist and founder of two organizations—the ‘Amar MP’ and ‘Bangladesh Genocide Archive’—spoke about the violence to Sputnik India. Gupta, currently in the UK, said the violence is far worse than previous unrest, both in terms of how brutal it is and how widespread. He shared that, since Hasina’s departure, the violence has escalated quickly, and Hindus are bearing the brunt of it. According to Gupta, nearly 250 attacks on Hindu businesses, homes, and temples have been reported so far, though the true number could be even higher.
Radical groups have been attacking with little to no pushback from the military or police, even though the authorities have publicly called for peace. Gupta believes that this weak response has only made the mobs bolder and the situation even more terrifying for the Hindu community. The lack of effective protection has left Hindus living in constant fear.
No End in Sight
The interim government, now in charge, has condemned the violence but has done little to stop it. Gupta points out that despite public statements of concern, there’s been no real action to protect the Hindu minority. As a result, the community feels abandoned and vulnerable.
Gupta’s organizations are in contact with Hindu families in all 64 districts of Bangladesh, hearing stories of homes being burned, people attacked, and even forced out of their jobs. According to a recent report by Gupta, in just the first ten days of August, three Hindu women were raped, three men were killed, and 72 Hindu-owned businesses were destroyed in a wave of violence that swept across the country.
In Barisal, Sylhet, and Khulna, mobs attacked and killed three Hindu men over just three days in early August. At the same time, Hindu women in Cumilla, Rangpur, and Dhaka were sexually assaulted. Hindu police officers, a politician, and a journalist were also killed in separate incidents. Shockingly, Gupta’s report also found that 22 Hindu professionals—principals, professors, and other school staff—were forced to quit their jobs, simply because of their religion.
A Dangerous Campaign
The ongoing attacks follow a disturbing pattern. Radical groups have been systematically attacking Hindus, vandalizing their temples and homes, and pushing them out of their jobs. The goal, according to Gupta, seems to be clear: intimidate the Hindu community until they either flee or convert.
The mobs are able to act so freely because the police and army aren’t doing enough to stop them. With so little protection, many Hindus are being forced to leave their homes to escape the violence.
Even as the UN sends a team to Bangladesh to investigate, the situation remains extremely tense. The interim government, struggling to regain control, hasn’t been able to guarantee security for its citizens, especially the vulnerable Hindu minority.
Two former leaders of major South Asian countries have reportedly accused the United States of covert regime change operations to topple their governments. One of the leaders, former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, languishes in prison, on a perverse conviction that proves Khan’s assertion. The other leader, former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheik Hasina, fled to India following a violent coup in her country. Their grave accusations against the U.S., as reported in the world media, should be investigated by the UN, since if true, the U.S. actions would constitute a fundamental threat to world peace and to regional stability in South Asia.
Timeline-Report