Temples Attacked, Hindu Councillors Killed As Violence Escalates In Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, the unrest against Sheikh Hasina has escalated, with attacks now targeting temples. Hindu community members are being specifically targeted, and Indian establishments are being vandalized.

Two Hindu councillors have been brutally beaten to death. The Jamaat-e-Islami group has issued a warning that any country providing refuge to Sheikh Hasina will face violent demonstrations outside its embassy.

Local reports indicate that several Hindu homes and temples, including ISKCON and Kali temples in Dhaka, have been attacked, forcing many devotees to seek shelter. Additionally, rioters have vandalized an Indian cultural center. Kajol Debnath, leader of the Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council, reported that at least four Hindu temples across the country have been attacked and damaged.

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Rising Tensions After Resignation

The Daily Star reports that Hardhan Roy, a Hindu councillor from the Awami League and Ward 4 of Rangpur City Corporation, was shot dead. Another Hindu councillor, Kajal Roy from Rangpur, also lost her life amid the protests. Eyewitnesses have reported that the Indira Gandhi Cultural Center (IGCC) and the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi area were damaged by rioters. The situation has deteriorated further and become more tense following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation, with heightened anxiety within the Hindu community.

Arson in Dhaka

The Dhaka Tribune reveals that protesters have set fire to several key locations in Dhaka, including the Bangabandhu Building at 32 Dhanmondi, which also contains the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum. This museum honors Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Sheikh Hasina’s father, who was assassinated in 1975 during his presidency. The Indira Gandhi Cultural Center, which opened in March 2010, had been a venue for various cultural events, seminars, and workshops, with India assigning several professionals for classical music and dance performances, including Kathak and Manipuri.

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