Bangladesh has been seeing a surge in violence against the Bangladeshi hindu community following the fall of the Sheikh Hasin Regime. On October 3, seven Durga Puja idols were vandalized at the Gopinath Jiur Akhara Durga Puja Mandap in Kishoreganj, Dhaka Division. The attackers, who struck at night while temple guards were asleep, scaled the walls and destroyed the idols. Local authorities, including the police, visited the site, and Hindu leaders held an emergency meeting. Despite a protest staged by the community demanding justice, no arrests have been made so far.
Series of Incidents
This incident follows a series of similar attacks. In late September and early October, temples in the Sujanagar area of Pabna district, Rajshahi Division, were also targeted. In these attacks, a total of nine idols were damaged at two separate locations. Local Hindus are alarmed by the repeated desecrations as the Durga Puja festival, one of the largest Hindu celebrations, approaches on October 9. Authorities have increased security in the area, but concerns remain high as the violence persists.
After a series of attacks on the minority Hindus in the nation, the festival of Durga Puja is now noted to be underattack in the present situation. There are several Muslim bodies that have denied permission to organise Durga Puja. Besides this, the organising committees are also being asked to maintain silence during the Namaz offerings, and some of the other committees are also being asked to pay Rs. 5 lakh each as Jizya tax in order to organise Durga Puja pandals. There are several organisations that have also received threat letters. The Muslim bodies are restricting Durga Puja, with multiple incidents being noted where the idols have been vandalised and temples have been desecrated. There are currently three temples that have been desecrated, and sixteen idols of the Hindu deities that have been vandalised.
While the Yunus government is tight-lipped about the incident, the Bangladesh Foreign Affairs advisor has not acknowledged the vandalism instances; instead, they have said that the worshippers who wish to hold Durga Puja have the opportunity to do so.
NewsX Discussion
Joining the NewsX discussion exclusively With Megha Sharma, Executive Editor, NewsX, on the issue of who will raise the voice for the Bangladeshi Hindus as the tax continues to rise unabated and the looming threat on the minorities in the nation, is Ambassador Veena Sikri, who acknowledges the worrisome situation in Bangladesh. “The Hindu minority community in Bangladesh is extremely worried about how they are going to celebrate Durga Puja,” she stated, as she continued to talk about how the hindus in the nation are uncertain whether they will be able to put Durga Puja Pandals in open spaces. “There are individual organisations that have been opposing Durg Puja celebrations,” she added. She further mentioned a professor from a well known University in Dhaka who objected to the opposition of Durga Puja celebrations, pointing out that the muslims in the nation get the opportunity to celebrate Ramzaan and all their festivals; therefore, the Hindus should also get the opportunity to celebrate the festivals. However, Sikri further added that the professor was forced to leave her job at the university. “There are reports of tax that are being imposed on the organisation of the pandals, and that has become worrisome as the date of the opening of the pandals, draws closer,” Sikri acknowledged the imposition of the Jizya, or tax, by the Muslim communities on the Durga Puja organising committees. “There are no direct steps from the interim government to ensure that the celebrations of the puja will go ahead peacefully.”
Military Influence and Ethnic Cleansing Concerns
Joining next, Major General GG Dwivedi, who had firsthand experience in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, highlighted the historical roots of these atrocities. He talked about the strong remarks made by the United States Freedom Council targeting India and pulling India with the alleged religious atrocities and threat to the minorities in our country, and why there are no reports of the sort castigating the Bangladesh government for cuurtailing the religious freedom of its people. He pointed out that the persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh is not a recent phenomenon but a continuation of a pattern that began during the genocide committed by the Pakistan Army in 1971. The systematic marginalization has reduced the Hindu population from over 20% to approximately 8% today, with their rights being systematically eroded. As political and religious radicalism rise within Bangladesh, the situation for these minorities becomes increasingly dire. Maj Gen Dwivedi mentioned, “Muhammad Yunus is a puppet in the hands of the Pakistani army and the Americans so therefore they will not have a problem with this issue, but who will take the call?” He asked as he continued, “India has to the call to protect the Hindus in Bangladesh.”
What is India’s stand?
Taking the discussion further, Pathikrit Payne, International Affair expert, stated, “The United States Commission for International Religious Freedom is currently occupied by the leftists and the Islamists and we should not expect any report from them that may be favorable to India.” Payne continued on the issue of why India is regarded as a concerned country in the matter of the atrocities against the Hindu minorities in Bangladesh and not Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. He mentioned that these organisations have a clear agenda. He seconded Maj Gen Dwivedi’s statement and stated that this is not happening for the first time but has been happening for the past many years. “The United Nation will not do anything; the US will not do anything, you can’t expect any other forum to do anything, its on us. the question is, What is our stand?” Payne questioned the government of India and its stand on the current situation of the Hindu minorities in Bangladesh.
The most pressing issue, therefore, remains the lack of a robust policy from neighboring India. While India is seen as the protector of persecuted minorities in the region, its response has been criticized as being reactive rather than proactive. With the current crisis in Bangladesh escalating, India’s role is under scrutiny. Although there have been diplomatic efforts, including raising concerns at the highest levels, it appears that more concrete action is needed to address the plight of religious minorities.
Several participants suggested that India’s current approach of “wait and watch” is no longer viable. The religious persecution is not just a domestic issue for Bangladesh but also a regional concern, with potential spillovers affecting India, particularly in its northeastern states. One proposed solution is the introduction of a Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) 2.0, which would allow persecuted minorities in Bangladesh to seek refuge in India. This policy would serve as a humanitarian response to the ongoing atrocities while sending a strong message to the Bangladeshi government.
Internal Dynamics in Bangladesh
However, the situation is complicated by internal dynamics within Bangladesh. The country is in political turmoil, with an unelected government in power and increasing influence from radical Islamist factions. This instability has made it difficult to expect any meaningful reforms or protection for minorities. The panelists agreed that the Bangladeshi Army, which holds considerable power, could intervene to protect minorities, but it appears they are complicit in the ongoing ethnic cleansing.
A broader concern was raised about the implications of this persecution for the region. As Bangladesh edges closer to becoming a de facto Islamic state, with even moderate Muslims facing threats, the panel emphasized the need for a regional policy that includes border security and a firm diplomatic stance. India, they argued, should treat its border with Bangladesh similarly to its border with Pakistan, ensuring that religious and radical infiltration is minimized.
It was also added that the political instability in Bangladesh is exacerbated by the rise of unrecognized Islamic forces that have aligned with established parties like the BNP and Jamaat. These groups, according to Bose, are vying for power and could emerge as significant players in the next election. The discussion further highlighted the moral and administrative breakdown within the country, which has further emboldened radical groups to target religious minorities with impunity.
