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Rising Tensions: Hindu Minority Protests in Bangladesh

3 minutes read

Rising Tensions: Hindu Minority Protests in Bangladesh

3 minutes read

Hundreds of Bangladeshi Hindus took to the streets in Dhaka on Friday to protest the recent surge in violence against their community following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government earlier this week.

Key Points:

  • Hundreds of Hindus in Dhaka protested against targeted attacks on their community following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
  • Since Hasina’s resignation and flight to India, Hindu temples, homes, and businesses have been vandalized, and several Hindu leaders have been killed.
  • The safety of Hindus, who make up about 8% of Bangladesh’s population, has become a significant concern amid the ongoing violence.
  • India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressed concern over the attacks on minorities in Bangladesh, highlighting the need for intervention.
  • The escalating violence underscores the necessity for immediate measures to protect minority communities and ensure the stability of Bangladesh.

 The demonstrators, who make up about 8 percent of the country’s population of 170 million, carried posters demanding to be “saved” and chanted slogans such as “Who are we? Bengali, Bengali” as they blocked a major intersection in the capital.

The protests were marked by chants of “Hare Krishna” as the demonstrators expressed their fear and frustration over the wave of targeted attacks that have swept through Hindu communities since Hasina, a long-time leader of the Awami League, resigned and fled to India on Monday. Hindu temples, households, and businesses have been vandalized, and several Hindu leaders affiliated with the party have been killed in the violence that has ensued since her departure.

On August 9, a large gathering of Hindu demonstrators in Dhaka held placards reading “Hindu lives matter” and “Save Bangladeshi Hindus,” alongside photographs of vandalized Hindu houses and temples. The safety of minority communities, particularly Hindus, in violence-hit Bangladesh remains a growing concern. A school teacher was killed, and at least 45 people were injured as homes, businesses, and temples of Hindus in Muslim-majority Bangladesh were attacked following Hasina’s resignation on August 5.

The situation has drawn international attention, with India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressing concern over the attacks on minorities in the neighboring country. The Hindu community, which has largely supported Hasina’s Awami League Party, now faces an uncertain future in the wake of the recent turmoil.

As violence against Hindus continues to escalate, there is an urgent need for both national and international intervention to protect these communities and restore peace. The future stability of Bangladesh hinges on its ability to safeguard the rights and lives of all its citizens, regardless of religious affiliation. Without immediate and decisive action, the cycle of violence risks deepening the divide and further destabilizing the nation.

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