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Minorities fear targeted attacks in post-revolution Bangladesh

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Communal Violence in Bangladesh: A Growing Concern

DHAKA: For generations, the small Hindu temple outside the capital in Muslim-majority Bangladesh was a quiet place to pray – before arsonists ripped open its roof this month in the latest post-revolution unrest.

Recent Attacks

It is only one of a string of attacks targeting religious minorities since a student-led uprising toppled long-time autocratic leader Sheikh Hasina in August. "We don’t feel safe," said Hindu devotee Swapna Ghosh in the village of Dhour, where attackers broke into the 50-year-old family temple to the goddess Lakshmi and set fire to its treasured idols on Dec 7.

Communal Violence on the Rise

In 2024, Ain o Salish Kendra recorded 118 incidents of communal violence targeting Hindus from January to November. August saw a peak of 63 incidents, including two deaths. In November, there were seven incidents. While that is significantly more than last year – when the group recorded 22 attacks on minorities and 43 incidents of vandalism – previous years were more violent.

Background

Hindus make up about eight percent of the mainly Muslim nation of 170 million people. In the chaotic days following Hasina’s Aug 5 ouster, there was a string of attacks on Hindus – seen by some as having backed her rule – as well as attacks on Muslim Sufi shrines by Islamist hardliners. "Neither I, my forefathers or the villagers, regardless of their faith, have ever witnessed such communal attacks," temple guardian Ghosh told AFP. "These incidents break harmony and trust."

Government Response

The caretaker government has urged calm and promised increased security, and accused Indian media of spreading disinformation about the status of Hindus in Bangladesh. Dhaka’s interim government this month expressed shock at a call by a leading Indian politician – chief minister of India’s West Bengal state Mamata Banerjee – to deploy UN peacekeepers. Hefazat-e-Islam, an association of Islamic seminaries, has led public protests against India, accusing New Delhi of a campaign aimed at "propagating hate" against Bangladesh. India rejects the charges.

Expert Analysis

Rights activist Abu Ahmed Faijul Kabir said the violence cannot be regarded out of context. Under Hasina, Hindus had sought protection from the authorities. That meant her opponents viewed them as partisan loyalists. "If you analyse the past decade, there has not been a single year without attacks on minorities," Kabir said, from the Dhaka-based rights group Ain o Salish Kendra.

Experts Call for Dialogue

Muhammad Yunus, the 84-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner appointed the country’s "chief adviser", has called for dialogue between groups. Critics say it is not enough. "To establish a peaceful country where all faiths coexist in harmony, the head of state must engage regularly with faith leaders to foster understanding," said Sukomal Barua, professor of religion at Dhaka University.

The Way Forward

Sumon Roy, founder of Bangladesh’s association of Hindu lawyers, said members of the minority were treated as a bloc by political parties. "They have all used us as tools," Roy said, explaining that Hindus had been previously threatened both by Hasina’s Awami League and its rival Bangladesh National Party. "If we didn’t support AL we faced threats, and the BNP blamed us for siding with the AL," he said. "This cycle needs to end."

Conclusion

The recent attacks on Hindu temples and the growing number of communal violence incidents are a cause for concern for the minority community in Bangladesh. The government’s response to the situation has been inadequate, and experts are calling for dialogue between religious groups to foster understanding and harmony.

FAQs

Q: What is the current situation of the Hindu minority in Bangladesh?
A: The Hindu minority in Bangladesh is facing a growing number of attacks and communal violence incidents.

Q: What is the cause of the recent attacks?
A: The recent attacks are believed to be the result of political tensions and a power struggle in Bangladesh.

Q: What is the government’s response to the situation?
A: The government has urged calm and promised increased security, but critics say it is not enough.

Q: What is the role of religious leaders in the current situation?
A: Religious leaders are calling for dialogue and understanding between different religious groups to foster harmony.

Q: What is the future outlook for the Hindu minority in Bangladesh?
A: The future outlook is uncertain, but experts are calling for dialogue and cooperation between religious groups to address the growing concerns.

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