A few days ago, a report by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom had claimed that the lives of minorities in Bangladesh are in danger. The report stated that Hindus in Bangladesh are unable to practice their religion freely. Once again, the tragic picture of Hindu persecution in that country has come to light.
A 17-year-old student’s Facebook post on Prophet Muhammad has led to violent mob attacks in Bangladesh’s Rangpur district. 15 Hindu homes were vandalised on Saturday and Sunday, after which families sold off their livestock and belongings and fled their homes in fear. They have taken shelter elsewhere. Later, temporary relief was restored by deploying the army and police, but Hindus in the area said that they feel extremely threatened.
“Fifteen houses were damaged or looted. We are preparing a list and working on financial and other forms of support,” an official, Mahmud Hasan Mridha, said after visiting the village.
The teenager, whose Facebook post sparked the controversy, has also been arrested. Meanwhile, none of the miscreants have been arrested. Not even an FIR has been filed.
Hindus left homeless in Bangladesh
The Hindu residents have been left homeless as their houses have either been burnt or demolished. They are starving, unsure of where they will stay. They also do not know when they will be able to return home. Apart from the destruction, valuables were looted. Locals said gold jewellery, legal documents had been looted.
The incident has sparked anxiety among the Hindu community who are a minority in Bangladesh. “We didn’t sleep all night. We had 10–12 mon (400–480 kg) of paddy, and we’re selling it now,” Kamalakanta Roy, a villager, told Bangladeshi newspaper Prothom Alo.
What exactly happened?
The attacks took place in Rangpur’s Aldadpur village after a third-semester student at a polytechnic institute – posted derogatory content about Prophet Muhammad on Facebook. The boy was arrested around 8:30 pm on Saturday evening after police received complaints about the post.
“A case was filed under the Cybersecurity Act, and the boy was later sent to a juvenile rehabilitation centre following a court order,” a police officer, Al Emran, told Dhaka-based newspaper, Prothom Alo.
Following his arrest, the violence started, post which the police and army were deployed. However, none of the miscreants were arrested despite the vandalism and widespread protests. An FIR has also not been registered against the miscreants yet as per latest reports.
Plight of Hindus in Md Yunus regime in Bangladesh
The report, based on a visit by the US agency on Saturday just before the incident, noted that political change in Bangladesh took place in July 2024 through student movements. In August, Nobel laureate Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, with the support of the military, took charge as the chief advisor to the interim government.
But religious tolerance and the protection of minorities in the country remain uncertain and vulnerable. The absence of an effective administration in the country between August 5 and 8, following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the fall of the government, led to horrific violence and human rights violations. There were reports of multiple attacks on the Hindu community, which were carried out as revenge attacks on people who are considered supporters or members of the Awami League.
After Hasina was ousted in August 2024, Bangladesh witnessed a sharp escalation of violence against Hindus. There had been 200 cases of attacks across 52 districts within the first week. By October 22, the interim government had officially acknowledged 88 cases of communal violence against Hindus, according to India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
A human rights organisation ‘Adhikar’ has mentioned that at least 72 people have been killed in political violence across the country from April to June this year. 1,677 people have been injured. During this time, 19 people have been killed in mob lynching. Amid the existing condition, the incident in Rangpur has raised new concerns.