2024 Bangladesh anti-Hindu violence

Last updated

Following the success of the Non-Cooperation Movement on August 5, 2024, a series of attacks targeting the Hindu community in Bangladesh began. Reports indicated that the violence, driven by political or random factors, coincided with a broader breakdown of law and order across the country. [1] These attacks specifically targeted homes, businesses, and temples belonging to Hindus. Between 200-300 houses and businesses and 15-20 temples belonging to the Hindu community were attacked by mobs in at least 52 of the country's 64 districts since 5 August. [2] [3] [4] As of 13 August, at least five people from the Hindu community have been killed in these attacks. [5]

Contents

In the wake of Sheikh Hasina's resignation as Prime Minister, Bangladesh National Hindu Grand Alliance announced that Hindus across the country faced a surge of attacks, with 278 reported incidents across 52 of the country's 64 districts . [4] [6]

Attacks

Due to its nominal avowal of secularism, Bangladesh's religious minorities, most notably Hindus tended to favour the centrist Awami League over the right-wing BNP-Jamaat-i-Islami alliance, and so were widely believed to be strong supporters of the Sheikh Hasina regime, since the 2001 anti-Hindu violence orchestrated by the BNP and the 2013 anti-Hindu violence orchestrated by Jamaat. Although during the over 15 years long regime of Sheikh Hasina, they also faced several acts of violence instigated and provoked by the direct and indirect support of local Awami league leaders, most notably 2021 anti-Hindu violence. Nevertheless, only hours after Hasina's departure, communal elements began organising attacks again against Hindus in Bangladesh. [7] In total, according to the Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council, there have been over 200 attacks on Hindus or their properties spread over 52 districts. [8] [9] [10]

On 4 August, Kajal Roy, a Hindu councilor from the Awami League in Rangpur, was killed along with his nephew. Properties, houses and temples belonging to the Hindu community have been burned, looted, or vandalized. [11] [12]

On 6 August, a retired school teacher Mrinal Kanti Chatterjee was killed and wife and daughter injured at their home in Bagerhat Sadar Upazila. [13] In Jessore district, mobs looted 25 shops and houses belonging to Hindus in Nerkelbaria Bazar in Bagherpara Upazila. Mobs burned another 25 shops and houses in Dhalgram union in Bagherpara Upazila, and attacks occurred in several villages of Manirampur and Abhaynagar upazilas. Mobs in Hatiya Upazila of Noakhali district attacked three houses and four businesses belonging to Hindus. More than 100 people attacked the house of a Hindu in Dhamrai upazila. In Kuakata, miscreants attacked the house of a Hindu Awami League leader as well as a temple, while the house of the Kalapara Mayor, Bipul Chandra, came under attack as well. In Natore district, miscreants vandalised and looted six houses and the Jotdaiboki Shib and Kali Temple belonging to Hindus. [14]

In Meherpur, nine houses of Hindus were attacked, including one of an Awami League leader. At least 40 shops belonging to minority communities were looted in Bochaganj Upazila in Dinajpur district. In Chandpur District, miscreants attacked and torched the house of school principal Ratan Kumar Mazumder in Chandpur town and school principal Haripad Das in Faridganj Upazila. In Shariatpur, miscreants destroyed the Dhakua Manasa Bari temple in Shariatpur and attempted to attack Hindu homes, foiled only by the Army's arrival. [15] Miscreants looted homes and businesses belonging to minorities in Koyra Upazila of Khulna District. [14] In Faridpur district's Madhukhali Upazila, miscreants attacked several homes and businesses and damaged a Kali temple, as well as beating up a Hindu homeopathy doctor. In Sadarpur Upazila, two Hindu-owned shops were looted. [16] On 5 August, the 140-year old home of folk singer Rahul Ananda in Dhaka's Dhanmondi was torched along with 3,000 handmade musical instruments, which was initially reported as a communal attack. [17] A Facebook post shared by his band later clarified the fire spread to the house from the adjacent Bangabandhu Memorial Museum, which had been targeted by arsonists. [18] [19]

On 7 August, Hindu houses, businesses and temples were attacked in Chirirbandar, Parbatipur and Birampur upazilas in Dinajpur district. In Gournadi Upazila of Barisal District, miscreants looted a Hindu-owned clothing store and assaulted a Hindu schoolteacher in her home. Arsonists also tried to burn down the home of a prominent Hindu businessman of Barisal city, but were foiled by the locals. [20]

Misinformation by Indian media

Indian media outlets were claimed to be disseminating disinformation regarding attacks on minorities in Bangladesh with an intent to destabilize the country after Hasina's departure. Gobinda Pramanik, president of the Bangladesh National Hindu Grand Alliance, criticized the Indian media, suggesting that they inaccurately portrayed the situation. Pramanik stated that the incidents of vandalism targeted only the homes of certain Awami League leaders, both Hindu and Muslim, who had a history of aggressive actions. He further noted that members of opposition parties, including the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, were involved in protecting Hindu temples and homes from potential attacks. [21] [22]

BNP leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy also refuted claims made by Indian media that his party is anti-Hindu, asserting that the BNP has been inclusive of all communities in Bangladesh and has consistently supported all religious groups. He highlighted his own role as a former minister in a BNP-led government and as a member of the party's highest decision-making body. [23]

Numerous India-based social media accounts circulated several misleading videos and images about attacks on Bangladeshi Hindus, using hashtags such as #AllEyesOnBangladeshiHindus and #SaveBangladeshiHindus, which were subsequently debunked by several fact-checking organizations. [24] A false report also claimed that the house of Bangladeshi cricketer Liton Das had been set on fire, which was later debunked. [25] [26] Das himself refuted the claim in a Facebook post. [27]

Quoting LoP West Bengal Legislative Assembly & BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, several Indian media channels renowned for their loyalty towards the ruling party falsely claimed that more than 10 million Bangladeshi Hindus are heading towards India to seek refuge, adding that Bangladesh is becoming an "Islamic State". According to Bangladeshi political analyst Zahed Ur Rahman, Indian media viewed the situation in Bangladesh through "their Islamophobic eye", despite the view in Bangladesh that it was a popular movement. [28]

Analysts Farid Erkizia Bakht and Siddharth Varadarajan suggested that India's intent to destabilize Bangladesh through this disinformation campaign stems from the disappointment of losing a valuable ally like Sheikh Hasina and from apprehensions about the new government in the country. [28]

BBC Verify found that while some attacks on minorities were confirmed, many claims were either unverified or exaggerated, highlighting the complexity of the situation and difficulties in accurately assessing the violence. [29] [30]

Reactions

Hindu community demonstrating at Kurigram Minority Protest 10 Aug 2024 Kurigram, 02.jpg
Hindu community demonstrating at Kurigram
Hindu community demonstrating at Shahbagh, Dhaka

The looting and fear of looting of Hindu houses has caused Hindus to attempt to flee. On 7 August, around 700-800 Hindus in Thakurgaon district attempted to leave Bangladesh for India but were stopped at the border by India's Border Security Force (BSF) and returned after promises of safety from Bangladeshi authorities. Later on 8 August, video footage showed 300 Hindus at a border post across from West Bengal's Jalpaiguri district attempting to flee to India who were later dispersed by BSF personnel. [10] On 10 August, another 500-600 Hindus gathered at the border in Hatibandha Upazila of Lalmonirhat district attempting to flee into India but were stopped by Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). [31] [32]

Starting on 9 August Hindu organisations led protests across Bangladesh against the violence. Large protests took place in Shahbag in Dhaka for two consecutive days. [33] On 10 August a large rally took place in Chittagong to call for an end to the violence. [34] On 11 August further protests were reported from Tangail, [35] Jamalpur, [36] Moulvibazar, [37] , and Bogra. [38] The demonstrators demanded action against the attackers of Hindu temples and properties as well as a 10% for minority communities in seats of the Jatiya Sangsad, formating of foundations for minority religions, return of property seized under the Vested Property Act and a five-day holiday for Durga Puja. [33]

There were also some instances reported of students and members of the Muslim community, including BNP activists and madrasa students standing guard at temples and churches. [39] [40] [41] The coordinators of the Anti-discrimination Students Movement distanced themselves from the attacks and pleaded with the people not to carry out such attacks. [42] On 13 August, Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of the Interim Government, visited the Dhakeshwari Temple to reassure Hindus that they are equal citizens in Bangladesh. [43]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bangladesh Nationalist Party</span> Political party in Bangladesh

Bangladesh Nationalist Party is a major political party in Bangladesh. Founded on 1 September 1978 by the late Bangladeshi president Ziaur Rahman, with a view of uniting people with a nationalist ideology, BNP later came out as one of the two most dominant parties in Bangladesh, along with its archrival Awami League. Initially being a big tent centrist party, it moved towards more right-wing politics later.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sheikh Hasina</span> Prime Minister of Bangladesh (1996–2001, 2009–2024)

Sheikh Hasina Wazed is a Bangladeshi politician who served as the tenth prime minister of Bangladesh from June 1996 to July 2001 and again from January 2009 to August 2024. She is the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father and first president of Bangladesh. Having served for a combined total of over 20 years, she is the longest serving prime minister in the history of Bangladesh. She was the world's longest-serving female head of government. Her premiership ended in self-imposed exile following a series of violent protests in 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hinduism in Bangladesh</span>

Hinduism is the second largest religion in Bangladesh, as according to the 2022 Census of Bangladesh, approximately 13.1 million people responded that they were Hindus, constituting 7.95% out of the total population of 165.15 million people. In terms of population, Bangladesh is the third-largest Hindu populated country of the world, after the neighboring countries of India and Nepal. Hinduism is the second-largest religion in 61 out of 64 districts of Bangladesh, but there is no Hindu majority district in Bangladesh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bangladesh Chhatra League</span> Student wing of Bangladesh Awami League party

The Bangladesh Chhatra League, formerly known as the East Pakistan Student League, often simply called the Chhatra League, is a students' political organisation in Bangladesh, founded by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on 4 January 1948. BSL is the student wing of the Bangladesh Awami League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ilias Ali (Bangladeshi politician)</span> Bangladeshi politician

M Ilias Ali was a Bangladeshi politician and member of the Jatiya Sangsad (2001–2006) representing the Sylhet-2 constituency. He served as the organising secretary of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. He, along with his personal car driver, Ansar Ali, went missing on 18 April 2012. Later that day, local police recovered his abandoned car near his residence in Banani neighborhood and found Ansar's cellphone inside. They have not been seen since. On the tenth anniversary of his disappearance, Netra News, an independent news platform in Sweden, reported on 21 April 2022, that Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), an elite Bangladeshi police unit, had carried out the disappearance. The platform cited leaked confidential documents and internal investigations documents from RAB to reach the conclusion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Bangladesh (1971–present)</span>

The history of Bangladesh (1971–present) refers to the period after the independence of Bangladesh from Pakistan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 Bangladeshi general election</span>

General elections were held in Bangladesh on 5 January 2014, in accordance with the constitutional requirement that elections must take place within the 90-day period before the expiration of the term of the Jatiya Sangshad on 24 January 2014.

2012 Fatehpur Violence refers to the attack on the minority Hindu community in the Fatehpur village under Kaliganj upazila in Satkhira District in south-western Bangladesh on the 31 March 2012.

2012 Chirirbandar violence refers to the attack on the minority Hindu community by Islamic extremists in Chirirbandar Upazila of Dinajpur District in the Division of Rangpur, Bangladesh on 4 August 2012.

1992 Bangladesh pogroms was a series of violence against the Bengali Hindus and other non-Muslim minorities of Bangladesh, by Islamists in protest against the demolition of Babri Masjid and violence against Muslims in India driven out of hate and revenge mindset continuing from almost 1947. The incidents of violence began in December 1992 and continued till March 1993.

The 2012 Ramu violence refers to a series of attacks on Buddhist monasteries, shrines, and houses of Buddhist inhabitants in Ramu Upazila in Cox's Bazar District in Bangladesh by local mobs on the midnight past 29 September 2012. The mobs destroyed 12 Buddhist temples and monasteries and 50 houses in reaction to a tagging of an image depicting the desecration of a Quran on the timeline of a fake Facebook account under a Buddhist male name. The actual posting of the photo was not done by the Buddhist who was falsely slandered. The Buddhist was innocent of the accusation. The violence later spread to Ukhia Upazila in Cox's Bazar District and Patiya Upazila in Chittagong District where Buddhist monasteries and Hindu temples were targeted for attacks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2013 Bangladesh anti-Hindu violence</span> Anti-Hindu violence in Bangladesh

On 28 February 2013, the International Crimes Tribunal sentenced Delwar Hossain Sayeedi, the vice-president of the Jamaat-e-Islami to death for war crimes committed during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. Following the sentence, activists of Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir attacked Hindus in different parts of the country. Hindu properties were looted, Hindu houses were burnt into ashes and Hindu temples were desecrated and set on fire. While the government has held the Jamaat-e-Islami responsible for the attacks on minorities, the Jamaat-e-Islami leadership has denied any involvement. Minority leaders have protested the attacks and appealed for justice. The Supreme Court of Bangladesh has directed law enforcement to start suo motu investigation into the attacks. The US Ambassador to Bangladesh expressed concern about attacks by Jamaat on the Bengali Hindu community.

2013 Bangladesh violence refers to the political instability, increase in crime and widespread attacks of minorities and opposition activists.

On 5 January 2014, the 10th general elections were held in Bangladesh. The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party and its ally Jamaat-e-Islami had already boycotted the elections. The buildup to the elections were marred by successive strikes and violence by the opposition parties. Victims claimed after the polls, workers and supporters of the opposition parties began attacking the minority Bengali Hindus. Accusing of looting, vandalising and setting the Hindu houses on fire in several districts across the country. Seven persons belonging to the Jamaat-e-Islami and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party were arrested in connection with the attacks. The National Human Rights Commission held the government responsible for the attacks on Hindus after the election. In India, the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party condemned the attacks on minorities.

2001 Bangladesh post-election violence were a series of violent incidents following the 2001 Bangladeshi general election. The religious minority, the Hindus, were victims of targeted violence by supporters of Bangladesh Nationalist Party.

From 13 to 19 October 2021, Muslim mobs instigated communal violence against Hindu communities across Bangladesh during the Durga Puja festival, in response to a viral video where Quran was kept under a temple idol's feet. More than 50 temples and makeshift worship arrangements were vandalised all over Bangladesh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 Bangladesh quota reform movement</span> Students movement demanding reforms in Bangladesh quota system

The 2024 Bangladesh quota reform movement was a series of anti-government and pro-democracy protests in Bangladesh, spearheaded primarily by university students. Initially focused on restructuring quota-based systems for government job recruitment, the movement expanded against what many perceive as an authoritarian government when hundreds of protestors and civilians, most of whom were students, were killed. The majority of the fatalities were caused by gunshots fired by the police and other government forces, using lethal and deadly weapons, against unarmed protestors and non-protesting civilians, including children and pedestrians.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bangladesh quota reform movement</span> Overview of the students movements demanding reforms in Bangladesh quota system

The quota reform movement in Bangladesh has been organized to demand reduction of quota in government jobs and recruitment based on merit. There have been three agitations for quota reforms in Bangladesh. So far, the general university and college students are in favor of this movement and the Awami League ruling Bangladesh government, Chhatra League and Awami League like-minded organisations are against.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Non-cooperation movement (2024)</span> Popular protests in Bangladesh

The non-cooperation movement, also known as the one-point movement, was a protest against the government of Bangladesh, initiated within the framework of the 2024 Bangladesh quota reform movement. The sole demand of this movement was the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her cabinet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 Bangladesh Hindu persecution prevention protests</span>

2024 Bangladesh Hindu persecution prevention protests are ongoing protests against the persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh. In the aftermath of the resignation and fall of Sheikh Hasina government, widespread violence against Hindus was reported throughout Bangladesh. In response, human chains and protest marches were organized on the afternoon of August 9, 2024. The protest was organized by Bangladesh Sanatani Nagarik, the Sanatani Students Society, Sanatani Students Okiya. Participants, including Hindu students from various educational institutions, marched from the Jatiya Press Club to Shahbagh, where they held their demonstration.

References

  1. ↑ Pathi, Kruthika. "The violence in Bangladesh after Hasina's ouster stirs fear within the country's Hindu minority". ABC News . Retrieved 2024-08-13.
  2. ↑ "Bangladesh Hindus targeted in attacks after fall of PM". George Johnson. The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 10 August 2024. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
  3. ↑ "Mob torches folk singer Rahul Ananda's home as Bangladesh Hindus say they are under attack". Shweta Sharma. The Independent. Archived from the original on 14 August 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  4. 1 2 "Hundreds protest in Dhaka over violence against Hindus in Bangladesh". Reuters . Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  5. ↑ "Hindus in Bangladesh shiver amid attacks: Soft targets, hard facts". India Today. 2024-08-13. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
  6. ↑ "'It's an assault on Hindu religion': Hindus attacked in 278 locations across 48 districts of Bangladesh". Business Today.
  7. ↑ Hasnat, Saif; Nauman, Qasim (2024-08-07). "Hindus in Bangladesh Face Attacks After Prime Minister's Exit". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2024-08-09.
  8. ↑ ২৯ জেলায় সাম্প্রদায়িক হামলা হয়েছে: হিন্দু বৌদ্ধ খ্রিস্টান ঐক্য পরিষদ. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 5 August 2024. Archived from the original on 6 August 2024. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  9. ↑ ৩০টি জেলায় সংখ্যালঘুদের বাড়ি, মন্দিরে হামলা-অগ্নিসংযোগ (in Bengali). 5 August 2024.
  10. 1 2 Paul, Ruma; Das, Krishna N. (2024-08-08). "Hindus in Bangladesh try to flee to India amid violence". Reuters .
  11. ↑ Hasnat, Saif; Nauman, Qasim. "Hindus in Bangladesh Face Attacks After Prime Minister's Exit". New York Times. Archived from the original on 8 August 2024. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
  12. ↑ "Bangladesh: Hindu councillor shot dead; Kali temples vandalised during anti-govt protest, say reports". Hindustan Times. 5 August 2024. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  13. ↑ "Minorities' houses, worship places under attack at various places". Prothom Alo. 2024-08-07. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
  14. 1 2 "Minorities' houses, worship places under attack at various places". Prothom Alo. 2024-08-07. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
  15. ↑ "Attacks on Hindu houses, temples, businesses go on". The Daily Star. 2024-08-07. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
  16. ↑ "Attacks, vandalism on minority communities in Faridpur". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  17. ↑ "'Still, let peace come to my golden country, at any cost': Rahul Ananda after his house vandalised". The Business Standard. 2024-08-08. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
  18. ↑ "'Fire at musician Rahul Ananda's house has nothing to do with religion'". Dhaka Tribune . 2024-08-13.
  19. ↑ Desk, Entertainment (2024-08-14). "'Setting fire to Rahul Ananda's house has no connection with religion'". Prothomalo. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
  20. ↑ "Attacks on Hindu houses, temples, businesses go on". The Daily Star. 2024-08-07. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
  21. ↑ "Hindu leader refutes false claims by Indian media regarding attacks in Bangladesh". Daily Sun . August 2024. Archived from the original on 8 August 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  22. ↑ "Fact check: False claims fuel ethnic tensions in Bangladesh". Deutsche Welle. Archived from the original on 8 August 2024. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
  23. ↑ শেখ হাসিনা ইস্যুতে ভারতকে কঠোর বার্তা দিল বিএনপি. Jugantor (in Bengali). 9 August 2024.
  24. ↑ বাংলাদেশে হিন্দুদের ওপর হামলা নিয়ে ভারতে অপতথ্যের প্রচার. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 11 August 2024. Archived from the original on 11 August 2024. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
  25. ↑ "Did protesters set Hindu Bangladesh cricketer Liton Das' house on fire?". Deccan Chronicle . 7 August 2024. Archived from the original on 9 August 2024. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  26. ↑ "Fact check: False claims fuel ethnic tensions in Bangladesh". Times of Oman . 8 August 2024.
  27. ↑ "Litton denies rumors of attack on his home". Dhaka Tribune . 9 August 2024.
  28. 1 2 Mahmud, Faisal; Sarker, Saqib (8 August 2024). "'Islamophobic, alarmist': How some India outlets covered Bangladesh crisis". Al Jazeera.
  29. ↑ "Attacks on minorities: BBC, dismislab debunk fake news". The Daily Star . 12 August 2024.
  30. ↑ "BBC Verify uncovers misinformation about Hindu persecution in Bangladesh". Dhaka Tribune . 12 August 2024.
  31. ↑ হাতীবান্ধায় হিন্দুদের জড়ো হওয়ার ঘটনায় বিজিবির সংবাদ সম্মেলন. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 2024-08-10. Retrieved 2024-08-13.
  32. ↑ দেশত্যাগ করতে ভারত সীমান্তে জড়ো হয়েছেন সনাতন ধর্মালম্বীরা. The Daily Ittefaq (in Bengali). 2024-08-10.
  33. 1 2 Mohammad, Mahathir (2024-08-10). "Hindu community protests in Shahbagh for second day". Dhaka Tribune .
  34. ↑ হিন্দুদের ওপর হামলা: এবার চট্টগ্রামে বড় বিক্ষোভ. bdnews24.com (in Bengali). 2024-08-10. Retrieved 2024-08-14.
  35. ↑ "Protest in Tangail demands action over attacks on Hindu community". Dhaka Tribune . 2024-08-11.
  36. ↑ জামালপুরে সনাতন ধর্মের শিক্ষার্থীদের বিক্ষোভ সমাবেশ. Jugantor (in Bengali). 2024-11-08.
  37. ↑ "Moulvibazar minority community protest attacks on Hindu properties". The Daily Observer . 2024-11-08. Retrieved 2024-08-14.
  38. ↑ Nasim, Nazmul Huda (2024-08-11). "Demonstration held over attacks on Hindu communities in Bogra". Dhaka Tribune .
  39. ↑ "Bangladesh: Muslims Stand Guard at Temples, Call to Protect Minorities". Clarion India. Archived from the original on 8 August 2024. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  40. ↑ "Students, other Muslims protect temples, churches amid Bangladesh unrest". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 7 August 2024. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  41. ↑ "Hindus in Bangladesh try to flee to India amid violence". Reuters.
  42. ↑ Paul, Ruma; Das, Krishna M. (2024-08-06). "Hindu homes, temples targeted in Bangladesh after Hasina ouster, minority group says". Reuters .
  43. ↑ "Instead of being divided, everyone must unite: Dr Yunus at Dhakeshwari Temple". The Business Standard. 2024-08-13. Retrieved 2024-08-13.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.