Within hours of Hasina’s departure from Bangladesh, hundreds of Muslim fundamentalists went on a rampage targeting Hindu religious pavilions. According to reports, there have been at least 205 incidents of attacks in 52 districts. These attacks have included vandalism of homes, temples, and businesses, causing widespread fear and uncertainty among the minority communities … writes Anand Mehta
What Hindus in Bangladesh feared would happen in the aftermath of the fall of the Awami League government has started. Within the first day and a half since the fall of Sheikh Hasina-led government, the country witnessed a spate of violence, specifically targeting Hindu homes and places of worship across multiple districts as law and order is yet to be restored.
According to reports, there have been at least 205 incidents of attacks in 52 districts. These attacks have included vandalism of homes, temples, and businesses, causing widespread fear and uncertainty among the minority communities.
Within hours of Hasina’s departure from Bangladesh, hundreds of Muslim fundamentalists went on a rampage targeting Hindu religious pavilions. Temples were desecrated and hundreds of houses and businesses of the Hindu minority torched in various parts of Bangladesh.The Dhakeshwari Temple in Dhaka, one of the most prominent Hindu temples in Bangladesh, was vandalised. Kali Mandir in Chattogram faced significant damage and looting. The Jagannath Temple in Sylhet was attacked, with idols being desecrated. Ramna Kali Mandir in Dhaka also reported vandalism and theft. Ramakrishna Mission and ISKCON temple were also attacked in Netrokona. These attacks have caused widespread fear and distress among the Hindu community.
On August 5, the Dhanuka Manasa Bari temple in Shariatpur was ransacked by an angry mob. They crushed the idols of Radha-Krishna and razed the temple to the ground. They also damaged all 16 CCTV cameras installed inside the temple premises.In Dinajpur five temples, including a Kali temple, in the district’s Parbatipur upazila were attacked. The Dinajpur Centre Cremation yard was also vandalised.
Across various social media accounts the Hindu community members are sharing the instances of indiscriminate violence and ruthless oppression that they are going through. The Hindus of Bangladesh are facing a clear and present danger. One X account shared how the “student protesters” of Bangladesh killed an entire Hindu family and abducted their daughter.
Several prominent Hindus have been targeted in the recent wave of violence in Bangladesh. In Dhaka’s Dhanmondi, the home of band Joler Gaan’s frontman Rahul Ananda which was nearly 140 years old was set on fire and burnt to the ground. “As soon as they broke down the gate, they started ravaging the house, taking whatever they could find for themselves. They took everything — from furniture and mirrors to valuables. After that, they torched the whole house along with Rahul da’s musical instruments,” a close family source of Rahul told The Daily Star.
Avirup Sarkar, a development professional, reported that his widowed cousin’s house in Netrokona was attacked and plundered by a mob. “She sounded terrified. She said the house had been attacked and plundered by a mob,” Mr Sarkar, told the BBC. A mob of about 100 people, armed with sticks, stormed the house, smashing furniture, TV, bathroom fittings and doors. Before leaving, they took all the cash and jewellery. “You people are descendants of the Awami League! This country is in a bad shape because of you. You should leave the country,” the mob shouted at the residents before leaving with the loot.[1]
Pranta Chandra Das, a college student, was beaten to death at a temple complex in Noakhali by hundreds of religious fundamentalists in the Muslim-majority nation. These attacks have heightened fear and insecurity among the Hindu community in Bangladesh.[2]
Mrinal Chakraborty of Bagerhat Rakhalgazi was killed and his wife and daughter are in hospital with serious injuries. Police constable Santosh Kumar was killed inside the police station in Baniaganj, Habiganj. Journalist Pradip Kumar Bhowmik was killed in Sirajganj.
In Birampur upazila, the house of Dilip Kundu, a fertiliser and agrochemical trader, was attacked. He said the plan to attack was even announced on a loudspeaker to gather more people. They also attacked, vandalised and looted his shops. Several Hindu families of Bochaganj upazila came under attack and arson. Kalapara municipal Mayor Bipul Haldar’s house was ransacked and set on fire.
In Jessore where a large number of Hindu families reside the situation is very. More than a hundred Hindu houses in the district were attacked, vandalised, set on fire, looted and robbed. At least 25 shops were looted and set on fire in Coconut Baria. The attack took place in the Hindu neighbourhood of Shalbarat village. In Sikanderpur village, houses were also attacked and vandalised and looted. Around 20 to 25 Hindu houses in five villages of Dhalgram union of Bagharpara upazila have been attacked in four phases.
As attacks took place in Hatia upazila, the police station and the Coast Guard were informed over the phone, but no one from the law enforcement went to the spot or tried to prevent the attacks on the Hindu families.
There have been several reports of Hindu girls being abducted by Islamist groups in Bangladesh following the recent political turmoil. Reports indicate that numerous Hindu girls have been kidnapped from their homes and taken to unknown locations. Many of these abducted girls are being forcibly converted to Islam and married off to their abductors. The head teacher of Mahilara Secondary School was assaulted in her home in Mahilara union.
Across Bangladesh Hindus have become the target of miscreants and the mayhem is going on in front of the army and police. As the situation worsens in Bangladesh, fearing attacks on their lives, several hundred Hindus, including women and children, have gathered near two border areas of Thakurgaon and Panchagarh to enter India.
[1] Bangladesh: ‘There is no law and order. And Hindus are being targeted again’ (bbc.com)
[2] Bangladesh’s Hindus living in fear following mob attacks (bbc.com)