2024 Bangladesh anti-Hindu violence

See also: 2024 Bangladesh post-resignation violence

Following the resignation of Sheikh Hasina on August 5, 2024, attacks began on the homes, businesses, and places of worship of the Hindu community in Bangladesh. The Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council reported that from August 4 to August 20, a total of 2,010 incidents (including 69 temples) of attacks on Hindus took place across the country within this 16-day period. Among the incidents, 157 families were violently ransacked, looted, and set ablaze, their businesses razed to the ground. 9 Hindus were killed in these attacks.

Background

Further information: Student-People's uprising

On July 2024, the quota reform movement morphed into a fierce anti-government mass uprising, known as the Student–People's uprising, ultimately removed the Awami League government from state power. Over the years, other political factions have taken turns in actions like the attack by Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in 2001, the aggression from Jamaat-e-Islami in 2013, and the combined attacks by the BNP and Jamaat in 2014, which forced these parties to lose the backing of the Hindu community. Awami League, being the last bastion of secularism, was seen as the protector of the Hindu minority though several attacks have taken place during the tenure of the Awami League government.

Attacks

Following Hasina's departure, a series of communal attacks were reported, particularly targeting Hindus in Bangladesh. These incidents included attacks on temples, houses, and shops belonging to minority communities, as well as reports of looting and murder across several districts in the country.

According to the Investigation conducted by Prothom Alo correspondents across 64 districts and 67 upazilas between 5-20 August 2024, 1,068 attacks on the minority community occurred in 49 districts. The majority of the attacks occurred in the southwestern division of Khulna, where at least 295 homes and businesses belonging to minority communities were destroyed. In addition, 219 structures were damaged in Rangpur, 183 in Mymensingh, 155 in Rajshahi, 79 in Dhaka, 68 in Barishal, 45 in Chattogram, and 25 in Sylhet. The extent of the damage varied, with some areas experiencing severe destruction, while others sustained less significant harm. Two members of the Hindu community were killed in the violence, and a total of 912 attacks were documented. Of these, in at least 506 cases, the victims were affiliated with Awami League. Correspondents from Prothom Alo personally observed 546 damaged houses and businesses, accounting for 51 percent of the total damaged structures.

Minority groups in Bangladesh reported 2,010 incidents of communal violence across the country between 4-20 August 2024. 9 people died in the violence. 1,705 families were directly affected in the violence. Among them, 157 families had their homes and businesses were attacked, looted, vandalized, and set on fire. Lands of some of the families were forcibly occupied. An investigation published on 30 October by Netra News found that none of the murders bore clear signs of religious or communal motives. Instead, a mix of political retribution, mob violence, and criminal homicides was behind the incidents involving the seven deaths. Additionally, some cases, the Unity Council’s assertions were undercut by the very news reports they cited and by their own grassroots officials.

According to sources from the police headquarters, following the fall of the Awami League government, between August 5 and August 9, there have been 47 incidents surrounding puja mandaps (pandals), including the vandalism of 30 idols and temples, 4 thefts or robberies, 3 arson attacks, and 10 other incidents. According to Bangladesh police, 35 untoward incidents related to Durga Puja in Bangladesh since October 1. And 17 persons have been arrested and about a dozen cases registered.

At a press conference organized by the Bangladesh Chhatra Oikya Parishad, an organization representing the minority community, it was stated that 49 teachers from the minority community have been forced to resign between from 5 - 31 August. At the press conference, Haripada Das, the principal of Gallak Adarsha Degree College in Faridganj, Chandpur, shared his personal experience. He said that his house was vandalized and looted on the evening of August 5 just after the fall of Sheikh Hasina government. He and his family barely managed to escape with their lives. Where his family members have since returned home, he has not yet been able to do so. He is regularly threatened to resign and is fearful about resuming his duties at the college. However, according to government instructions, he is required to join the college tomorrow, Sunday.

At a rally, the main speaker of Bangladesh Sanatan Jagaran Manch, Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, said that 93 people have been dismissed from police jobs solely for being minorities. Hindus are being identified at the Veterinary and Chattogram University.

Khulna Division

The highest number of attacks occurred in the Khulna Division, with 74 homes and businesses destroyed in the Khulna district between 5-20 August, followed by Jashore, Satkhira, and Magura.

On the night of 5 August, an attack was launched on Bejpara, a neighborhood in Jashore town where at least 200 Hindu families reside. According to local residents, around 9:15 PM, a group of 20 to 25 individuals armed with cleavers and sticks attacked the area, damaging and looting houses.

On 6 August, a retired schoolteacher, Mrinal Kanti Chatterjee, was killed Bagerhat Sadar Upazila. The slain teacher's daughter, Priyonthi Chatterjee, stated that Muslims attacked their house, killed her father, and struck her mother on the head. Priyonthi Chatterjee further said that her parents called the police and army, none of them did not answer the calls. In Jashore, 50 Hindu houses were attacked, torched, looted, and robbed at various locations.

In Meherpur, nine Hindu houses were attacked, including one belonging to an Awami League leader.

Several thousand people vandalized at least 25 shops and looted goods in Narkelbaria Bazar of Bagharpara Upazila.

The house of Narkelbaria Union Parishad Chairman Bablu Kumar Saha was also attacked. Subsequently, 10-12 individuals armed with machetes and locally made weapons entered the house of Liton Kundu in Narkelbaria village. They held the occupant's hostage and stole three bhoris of gold and Tk 2,700. Narkelbaria Union Parishad Chairman Bablu Kumar Saha stated that members of the Hindu community now feel insecure in the area.

Twenty to twenty-five Hindu houses were vandalized and looted in five villages of Dhalgram Union Parishad in Bagharpara Upazila in four times.

Attacks and vandalism also occurred in Natumgram, Sultannagar, Amrojhuta village, and Khatuadanga Bazar in Monirumpur Upazila, as well as in Payra Union and Dhopadi villages in Abhaynagar Upazila.

Reports indicate that religious centers associated with the Hindu movement ISKCON and temples dedicated to the goddess Kali were also targeted. According to Yudhistir Govinda Das, ISKCON's spokesperson in India, 'One of our ISKCON centers (rented) in Meherpur (Khulna Division) was burned, including the deities of Lord Jagannath, Baladev, and Subhadra Devi. Three devotees residing at the center managed to escape and survive.' This statement was made in a post on X.

Minority-owned homes and businesses in Koyra Upazila of Khulna District were looted. Additionally, there have been allegations of abduction and assault of Hindu women.

On August 14, a Hindu businessman's house in Khulna was looted and set on fire.

On 21 September, multiple temples in Dacope Upazila of Khulna have repeatedly received anonymous letters via mail addressed to the temple's Puja celebration committees. The letters state, "To celebrate Durga Puja, each temple must pay a donation of five lakh taka." Along with this, the letters issue a chilling threat: anyone who informs the authorities or the press will be killed. The committee has decided to cancel the Durga Puja. The content of the letters sent to the three temples is almost identical.

On 5 September in Khulna, local Muslims and madrasa students reportedly beat up a 15-year-old boy named Utsab Mandal for allegedly insulting Islam. Media first reported that the boy had succumbed to death but later an ISPR statement — the office of the military spokesperson — stated that he is alive.

In Maheshpur Upazila, 207 decimals of land inherited by Bharat Das and his brother Shambhu Das have been seized. Bharat Das reported that on Thursday, Babul Hossain, Ikramul, Bipul, Khaled Hossain, Jinnah, and several others damaged the crops on the land. Bharat Das further mentioned that they have been cultivating that land since birth. But now they are being threatened with murder and other forms of intimidation if they attempt to go to their land.

On 10 October, golden crown of idol, gifted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Jessoreswari Kali Temple in Shyamnagar has been stolen.

Rangpur Division

The second largest number of attacks occurred in Rangpur Division. The minority communities in Thakurgaon, Lalmonirhat, and Panchagarh districts within this division were particularly targeted.

On 4 August, Kajal Roy, a Hindu councilor from the Awami League in Rangpur, was killed along with his nephew. Properties, houses, and temples belonging to the Hindu community were burned, looted, or vandalized. According to The Daily Star, Haradhan Roy of the Parshuram Thana Awami League was shot dead. Additionally, CNN-News 18 reported that Haradhan's nephew was lynched by the mob.

In various areas of Thakurgaon district, 78 houses and business establishments belonging to the minority community were vandalized and set on fire.

On August 7, attacks were carried out on Hindu homes, businesses, and temples in Chirirbandar, Parbatipur, and Birampur upazilas of Dinajpur district.

On August 7, in Keshabpur Upazila of Jessore, an attack was carried out on a Hindu businessman’s home, and his business establishment was looted.

In Phulbari, Kurigram, a 16-years-old schoolgirl from the was abducted. Locals report that at the beginning of September, a letter was posted on a tree in the Hindu neighborhood, stating, "This house's girl will be taken away and converted to Islam." Later, on September 4, Ranjit Chandra Sen filed a general diary in the Phulbari Police Station. Locals also report that on Wednesday, around 5 p.m., while she was returning home from a coaching center, Alinur Rahman and his accomplices abducted her.

Two teachers at a school in Rangpur City ordered Hindu female students to wear hijabs and made various negative comments about reciting the Gita. In a viral video, one student complained that her teachers told her to memorize verses from the Quran and to wear a hijab or observe purdah (covering). The teachers would verbally abuse them in class. Some female students also alleged that those teachers made derogatory remarks about idol worship and the Hindu religion.

On October 1, idols were vandalized in Kotwali and Sundarganj. The police arrested a person named Bhavesh Chandra Das in connection with the vandalism in Sundarganj Thana. According to the local police, Bhavesh is mentally unstable and addicted to drugs.

On October 2, 2024, locals caught Shahinur Islam vandalizing an under-construction Durga idol at a temple in Lalmonirhat's Hatibandha upazila near the India border. Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) detained him before handing him over to police, though no case had been filed by the next evening. Witnesses said a group of 18–20 attackers had targeted the temple that night. Sabuj Roy, the temple committee secretary, noted that without BGB’s quick response, the damage might have resembled an August 5 attack, when arson and looting in the village led to a police case.

On October 6, the clay mound of Sukh Sannasi in Dimla, was demolished.

The Durga temple in Gharialdanga Union, Rajarhat was vandalized.

On 25 October, a man named Shridhama Chandra was killed in Saghata Upazila of Gaibandha. Locals said Milon Mia, a former leaseholder of Bonarpara Market, along with Rafiqul Islam conducted a fish farming project in the Hindu neighborhood of Majhipara. They had taken an electric line from the Majhipara temple. Due to unpaid electricity bills, the rural electricity office disconnected the connection. Later, the temple committee reconnected the temple’s electricity. After the reconnection, when Milon Mia and his associates tried to draw electricity from the temple’s meter for their fish farming project, Shridhama, a temple committee member, opposed it. In response, Milon Mia, Ershad Mia, Rafiqul Islam, Abul Kalam, and 4-5 others assaulted and killed Shridhama.

Mymensingh Division

The third highest level of damage was inflicted on houses, business establishments, and places of worship in Mymensingh Division. Most of these attacks occurred in Netrakona and Mymensingh districts, with numerous incidents also reported in Sherpur and Jamalpur.

At least 19 shops belonging to the Hindu community, including Gayanath Mishtanna Bhandar, Durga Mishtanna Bhandar, and Uttara Hotel, were looted and vandalized in Netrakona town.

Avirup Sarkar is a Bangladeshi Hindu. His cousin lives in Netrokona, almost 100 people entered their house armed with sticks, vandalized her home. They took all the cash and jewellery. While retreating with the spoils, the mob shouted, 'You people are descendants of the Awami League! Because of you this country is in a bad shape. You should leave the country.'

On August 6, BNP leader (Jubo Dol) Kabirul Islam took control of five business establishments owned by Hindus in Dobaura. One of the victims, Atul Sarkar, stated that they had been running their businesses since 1997. After the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, their business establishments were seized on August 6th.

On the midnight of 12 August, a fire was set at the house of Dipak Kumar Saha in Netrakona Sadar Upazila, burning nine cows, six goats, and irrigation equipment to ashes. Dipak Kumar Saha claims that the fire caused a loss of at least 1.6 million BDT.

On 26 September, the idols at the Govinda Jior Temple in Gauripur Upazila of Mymensingh were vandalized.

On October 4, a businessman named Sunil Chandra Barman in Nandail received a letter for the third time demanding a ransom of one lakh taka. The letter also threatened dire consequences if the demand was not met.

On 12 October, 65-year-old journalist Swapan Kumar Bhadra was murdered. The motive remains unclear.

Chittagong Division

Mobs in Hatiya Upazila of Noakhali district attacked three houses and four businesses belonging to Hindus.

In Chandpur District, the homes of school principals Ratan Kumar Mazumder in Chandpur town and Haripad Das in Faridganj Upazila were attacked.

On September 6, water was allegedly thrown from the roof of a vehicle while it was carrying a Ganesh Devotee through the city's Momin Road area. The incident led to clashes and beatings between the two sides. Later, the situation was brought under control with the help of the local police administration and army. Additionally, there were reports of attacks on Hindu homes in a village near Chattogram, according to witnesses and the relatives of those affected.

In the Comilla district, the Durga idol was damaged and the donation box at the temple was looted.

Police arrested a youth named Partha Biswas in Chattogram on October 1 over allegations of making offensive remarks about Islam. After his arrest was reported, madrasa students and locals gathered in front of the police station and demanded that he be punished according to the Quran.

On October 6, broken pieces of bricks were thrown with the intent to vandalize idols in Rangunia.

On October 7, a temple emblem was stolen in Ramgarh, Khagrachari.

On October 10, Muslim extremists set fire to a Hindu house near Aziz Fazilpur Tulatuli.

On 1 November, Sanatan Jagaran Manch proclaimed a protest rally against attacks on Hindus, vandalism and arson of temples, and looting of property in Chattogram. The police barred the Hindus from joining the rally. Liakat Ali Khan, Deputy Commissioner, Chattogram Metropolitan Police (South), said, "As per administrative orders, we hindered them from holding the rally.". On August 31, a sedition case was filed at Kotwali Police Station against 19 persons, including Sanatan Jagaran Manch spokesperson Chinmoy Krishna Das.

Dhaka Division

A group of 100-150 people, led by BNP leader Azizul Haque, attacked a Hindu household in Dhamrai Upazila. Two private cars were vandalized along with furniture from the house and the temple.

Two Hindu-owned shops were looted in Sadarpur Upazila.

In Shariatpur, miscreants destroyed the Dhakua Manasa Bari temple and attempted to attack Hindu homes, but the assault was thwarted by the arrival of the Army.

On 30 August, in Kaliakair Upazila of Gazipur, there was an attempt to seize a nearly 50-year-old temple and Hindu land. BNP leader Lebu Mia, accompanied by 50-60 hired thugs, attacked and vandalized the ‘Radhagobind Loknath Natmandir’. When the Hindu community attempted to resist, they were also assaulted, resulting in 10-12 injuries. Additionally, there was an attack on a house within the temple complex. Regarding this incident, Kaliakair Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Kawsar Ahmed stated that the army and police were promptly notified of the attack on the temple.

A group of 15-20 people, led by BNP leader Nagad Idris, attacked a Hindu family in Brahmankachuri village, located five kilometers away from Kishoreganj district town. They looted gold jewelry, cash, and furniture worth millions of takas. Family members told The Daily Star that even though almost 60 days have passed since the attack, they are still too afraid to go home. Additional information provided by Gita Rani Bormon: "On the 5th August, around 3 PM, a group of 15 to 20 people led by Idris, with hockey sticks, cocktails, and pistols entered their house and began an assault. They exploded cocktails and fired several rounds from their pistols. In the evening, again, about 30 to 40 people, led by Idris on a pickup truck, broke open the main gate and loaded all the valuables, including gold jewelry, cash, beds, sofas, wardrobes, air conditioners, fridges, televisions, and even a submersible water pump into the pickup truck." She said that her grandson has received threat calls ever since the incident from different numbers. Family members said that when they first approached the police, it was unwilling to register a case and instead there is an attempt to implicate them in a false case.

In Dhaka's Dhanmondi, the home of Rahul Ananda, the frontman of the band Joler Gaan, was set on fire and completely destroyed. According to a close family source quoted by The Daily Star, '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.' The residence, which was nearly 140 years old, housed over 3,000 musical instruments designed and made by Rahul Ananda, all of which were destroyed in the fire.

An idol at the temple of the West Hostel of Dhaka College was broken and valuable items were stolen on August 19.

Seven idols of Devi Durga were vandalized at the Shri Shri Gopinath Jeu Akhra Temple in the Batris area of Kishoreganj district town.

On October 8, five idols were vandalized at a Durga Puja pandal in Rajbari town. Various parts of the idols of Durga, Kartik, Ganesha, Lakshmi, and Saraswati was damaged. According to the information given by the police, an intellectual disabled Hindu man named Ranapad Sarkar accidentally collided with an idol, causing it to break. After that, in an unconscious state, he damaged several other idols. But the police have not released any footage of the incident.

On the night of October 11, cocktails were thrown at the Durga Puja pandals of four temples in Dhaka's Tantibazar. Then attackers started stabbing and at least four puja celebrants got injured. The injured have been admitted to Mitford Hospital.

On 14 October, During the visarjan (immersion) of the Hindu idols, some extremists started throwing bricks at the Hindus from the roof of a building in old Dhaka. When some Hindus tried to go up to the building to stop them from throwing the bricks, the police prevented the Hindus from going up. In this incident, two Hindus were injured.

Every year, the Kundubari Fair has been held for centuries during Kali Puja in Kalkini, Madaripur. But this year, following instructions from local Muslims and Muslim scholars, the administration has prohibited to organize the fair. Head of the temple committee, Basu Dev Kundu told Independent TV, "Our ancestors have been organizing this fair on the occasion of Diwali and Sri Sri Kali Puja. This year, however, banners have been put up instructing us not to hold the fair.

Barisal Division

On Monday evening, the residence of Ananta Mukherjee, joint general secretary of the Awami League's Kuakata municipality unit in Patuakhali, was attacked. Additionally, a nearby temple was also targeted during the same incident.

The residence of Kalapara mayor Bipul Chandra was attacked around 5:00 pm. In Gournadi Upazila of Barisal District, miscreants looted a Hindu-owned clothing store and assaulted a Hindu school teacher in her home. Additionally, arsonists attempted to set fire to the home of a prominent Hindu businessman in Barisal city, but the attempt was thwarted by local residents.

On 8 August, an attack and looting took place at the house of Abhilash Talukda in Patuakhali Sadar Upazila. Abhilash's father-in-law, Lakshman Debnath, said that Around 8:30 PM, someone knocked on the door. When his daughter Mukta opened the door asking, "Who is it?", a group of 10 to 12 men armed with machetes, cleavers, and sticks forcibly entered and locked the door behind them. Mukta ran to another room and informed her relatives over the phone. Lakshman Debnath reported that the attackers ransacked the wardrobe and looted one tola of gold jewelry belonging to his daughter, along with 30,000 taka in cash. They also threatened them and demanded more money. That same night, Abhilash transferred another 50,000 taka through bKash from his relatives, after which the assailants left.

On 29 August in Faridpur, the students of madrasas tried to attack a college student alleging that he made offensive remarks about Islam.

On September 15, nine idols under construction at Hari Temple in Bhanga Upazila of Faridpur were vandalized. Swapan Chandra Saha, head of the Bhanga Puja Committee, told reporters,'Various parts of a total of eight idols, including Kartik, Arjun, and Ganesh, at Hari Temple have been vandalized. In this incident, the police arrested a person and claimed that the arrested individual was Indian, stating that the person had come from India's Nadia district. An investigation by Deutsche Welle revealed that Bangladesh's Muslim police, instead of arresting the real culprits, had detained a mentally unstable person (insane) and falsely claimed him to be Indian. But the arrested individual is Bangladeshi.

In Madhukhali Upazila of Faridpur District, miscreants targeted several homes and businesses, damaged a Kali temple, and assaulted a Hindu homeopathy doctor.

On October 4th, three idols at the Durga Puja pandal of the Deuri Bari Sarbajonin Durga Mandir in Bakerganj, Barisal, were vandalized. The temple's general secretary, Shankar Deuri, stated, 'Puja has been held at this pandal for the past 11 years. This is the first time such an incident has occurred.At the Takabari Sarbajanin Durga Mandir in Ujirpur, Barisal, a group of Muslims forcibly entered the Puja Mandap and began reciting the Quran.

On 13 October, some Muslims, along with local BNP leader Mizanur, went to a temple in Barisal during a Puja and recited the Quran, issuing threats.

On 21 October, a group of people attempted to seize the land of 21 Hindu families in Patuakhali town. When members of the Hindu families began constructing houses on the land in Kalikapur, valued at approximately 6 crore taka, a group claiming to be BNP workers obstructed them. The victims reported that they were threatened with murder, injury, and expulsion from the country.

Rajshahi Division

On August 4, the house of Suranjit Sarkar, the General Secretary of the Puja Celebration Committee of Mohanpur Upazila in Rajshahi, was vandalized, looted, and set on fire. He wrote in a Facebook post that he has sought shelter in Kolkata of India with wife and children. Other family members reported that 650,000 taka and 10 tolas of gold jewelry were looted from their house. When Montu Chandra Sarkar tried to obstruct them, he was assailed and rendered unconscious. Later at night, the attackers stole three cows. The residence of a Hindu shopkeeper was also attacked.

On August 5 and 6, incidents of vandalism, arson, and looting took place in at least 24 homes and businesses of the minority community in various areas of Naogaon town and district. Among the victims, 10 people are involved in Awami League politics, while 14 incidents occurred involving individuals who are not affiliated with Awami League politics.

On 5 August, in the Vidyadharpur village of Mohanpur upazila, 25 houses and the central temple of Mohanpur upazila were attacked. Members of the Hindu community reported that the attackers broke everything during their procession. Since the incidence, the residents of Vidyadharpur have been living in fear. Sukumar Pramanik, a teacher of Amrail High School of the upazila, had his left arm broken. Shyamal Kumar, a teacher at Bhimnagar High School, was also attacked. The roof of the house of Bobin Kumar Sarkar, a teacher at Mohanpur College, and his brother Bipul Kumar Sarkar was damaged. Two windows of their house were also broken with sticks. The glass windows of Sudarshan Chandra Sarker's house were broken and the attackers failed to get in as the door was locked. The veranda roof of Narayan Sarker's house, Ajit Sarker's shop, the veranda roofs of two houses belonging to Parshuram Pramanik, the veranda roof of Narayan Pramanik's house, the tin roof and toilet pipes of Sushen Pramanik's house, the window of Asit Kumar Sarker's house and the window of Ratan Pramanik's house were broken. The glass windows, kitchen roof, and ventilator of Abinash Saha's house were also damaged. Ajit Sarkar's shop and the goods in it were completely broken.

A Hindu woman was forcibly raped at gunpoint in Singra, Natore.

In Natore district, miscreants vandalized and looted six houses as well as the Jotdaiboki Shib and Kali Temple, which belong to the Hindu community. The attackers struck Ronendranath with a sharp weapon, leaving him severely injured and bleeding. Naresh Chandra said that the miscreants looted more than a hundred thousand taka, four tolas of gold jewelry, a laptop, a mobile phone, and bags of rice from his house. Dipendranath Saha informed the Lalpur police station about the incident, an officer told him that he could not send the police, as he mentioned to Prothom Alo.

In Bochaganj Upazila, Dinajpur district, at least 40 shops belonging to minority communities were looted. Uttam Roy, general secretary of the District Puja Celebration Council, reported to Prothom Alo that 10-15 houses were vandalized and looted across the district, and that threats were being issued door to door.

In Rajshahi, members of the ethnic community were also targeted.

On 5 August, an attack occurred in Pyarpur village, Mohanpur Upazila, within the district.

On 24 August, three temples in Bagha, Rajshahi, were attacked. Items and idols in the temples located in Pakuria Palpara, Ghoshpara of Pakuria Union, and Kaligram of Bagha Municipality were vandalized. During the vandalism, a madrasa student named Bappi Hossain was caught red-handed.

On 5 October, idols at the Durga Mandir in Jayanagar, Bottola Haat, within the Chapainawabganj municipal area, were vandalized.

In Sujanagar, Pabna, Durga idols were desecrated at two temples on Saturday and Tuesday nights. On Saturday night, four idols were vandalized at the Rishipara Barowari Puja Mandap (pandal) in Sujanagar Municipality. On September 28, an idol was vandalized at the Nishipara Durga Temple in the municipality.

Sylhet Division

A local group led by Abdul Wahed has demolished part of the house of renowned geographer and traveler Ramnath Biswas in Baniachong Upazila, Habiganj. Abdul Wahed had been attempting to seize the property for an extended period.

On the night of 1 September, a community temple in Vayadanga Bazaar, Ranisimul Union, Sreebardi Upazila, Sherpur District, was vandalized, with idols being damaged. Although petrol was sprayed after the vandalism, the intervention of police and army personnel prevented the fire from being ignited.

On October 9, donation box was stolen from the Chaitali Sangha Puja pandal in Kulaura, Moulvibazar.

On October 12, BNP leader Haji Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury threatened hindu leaders in Sreemangal, Moulvibazar.

Reactions

Domestic

Hindu community demonstrating in Rangpur

Hindu community demonstrating at Shahbagh, Dhaka

The looting and fear of looting of Hindu houses has caused Hindus to attempt to flee. On 7 August, around 700-800 Hindus in Thakurgaon district attempted to leave Bangladesh for India but were stopped by India's Border Security Force (BSF) and returned after promises of safety from Bangladeshi authorities. Later on, 8 August, video footage showed 300 Hindus at a border post across from West Bengal's Jalpaiguri district attempting to flee to India who were later dispersed by BSF personnel. On 10 August, another 500-600 Hindus gathered at the border in Hatibandha Upazila of Lalmonirhat district attempting to flee into India but were stopped by Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).

Starting on 9 August Hindu organisations-led protests across Bangladesh against the violence. Large protests took place in Shahbag in Dhaka for two consecutive days. On 10 August a large rally took place in Chittagong to call for an end to the violence. On 11 August further protests were reported from Tangail, Jamalpur, Moulvibazar, and Bogra. The demonstrators demanded action against the attackers of Hindu temples and properties as well as a 10% for minority communities in seats of the Jatiya Sangsad, formating of foundations for minority religions, return of property seized under the Vested Property Act and a five-day holiday for Durga Puja.

There were also some instances reported of students and members of the Muslim community, including BNP activists and madrasa students standing guard at temples and churches. The coordinators of the Anti-discrimination Students Movement distanced themselves from the attacks and pleaded with the people not to carry out such attacks. On 13 August, Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of the Interim Government, visited the Dhakeshwari Temple to reassure Hindus that they are equal citizens in Bangladesh. Yunus said that attacks on minority Hindus were "exaggerated", and also claimed that the attacks on minorities were more political than communal.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami condemned the attack against Hindus, saying there is nothing called majority or minority and that every citizen has equal rights.

On September 4, mass protest for safety of Hindus held in Shaheed minar, Dhaka.

On October 25, the Bangladesh Sanatan Jagaran Manch, an organization of the Hindu community, held a mass rally at Laldighi Maidan in Chattogram city with an eight-point demand. With slogans like "Āmāra māṭi āmāra mā, ē dēśa chēṛē kōthā'ō yāba nā (My land, my mother, I will not leave this country)," Hindu men and women joined the rally in groups and processions.

The main speaker, Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, further stated,

No democratic power in Bangladesh will have the opportunity to do politics by practicing communal behavior. Power is shifting repeatedly, and stability is not coming to this country. This is because tolerance is vanishing. Respect is being lost; teachers are being forced to resign. Only for being a minority, 93 people have been dismissed from police jobs. Hindus are being identified at the Veterinary and Chattogram University. For a while, such wrongful acts had subsided, but now they are resurfacing. We will remain silent no longer.

On 1 November, when the Sanatan Jagaran Manch announced a protest rally in Chattogram, police prevented Hindus from joining the gathering. The Deputy Commissioner (South) of the city police, Liakat Ali Khan, stated that, in line with administrative directives, they were barred from holding the rally today. On August 31, a sedition case was filed at Kotwali Police Station against 19 people, including the spokesperson of Sanatan Jagaran Manch, Chinmoy Krishna Das.

Recalling the events of October 25, Gauranga Das Brahmachari, a key organizer of the Sanatan Jagaran Manch, said,

We concluded the largest peaceful rally in recent memory with full discipline. However, a certain group does not appreciate this peace and the country's progress. They want communal violence in this country; they want colonial superpowers to interfere in Bangladesh and turn it into a militant state. They have tried to unjustly blame our movement.

Expatriates

On 11 August, in Birmingham, expatriates from Bangladesh’s minority communities held a protest rally in front of the Assistant High Commission of Bangladesh, protesting against “attacks on temples and churches” and the “persecution” of minorities in Bangladesh.

In front of the Parliament Square and the British media BBC's headquarters, expatriates held placards and banners with writings such as “Protect Hindus,” “Hindu Lives Matter,” and “Justice for Hindus” while chanting slogans. Expatriate Ajit K. Saha alleged, “The BBC has published biased news on the recent incidents in Bangladesh. They have never highlighted the incidents of oppression against Hindus.” Protesters submitted a letter of protest to the BBC newsroom, drawing attention to the lack of coverage on the recent suffering of Hindus in Bangladesh.

On Saturday afternoon, expatriate Bangladeshis held a rally at Nathan Phillips Square of Toronto. Foreigners also participated alongside Bangladeshis. Canadian Member of Parliament Kevin Vuong, representative of the World Hindu Council Abhishek Choubey, and former president of the Canadian Hindu Chamber of Commerce Naresh Chawda attended the rally to show solidarity. Many also called for using ''Canada's influence'' to support international measures for the protection of Hindus in Bangladesh. They suggested that "a process could be implemented to grant express visas to Bangladeshi Hindus seeking asylum in Canada."

On Sunday morning, more than 300 Indian Americans and Bangladeshi-origin Hindus gathered at Sugar Land City Hall in Houston. They called on the Biden administration to take immediate action to prevent atrocities and ensure the protection of minority communities in Bangladesh. Dipti Mahajan, co-coordinator of the organization HinduPACT, stated in her speech that "10 million Hindus are sitting on a ticking time bomb of genocide." From Michigan to Houston and from California to Washington, D.C., Indian and Bangladeshi Americans gathered with placards like "Protect Hindu Rights," "Religion is not a crime," "Live and Let Live," etc., in solidarity with their "Hindu brothers and sisters."

International

Governments

• India condemned what it described as a "systematic pattern of desecration" after attacks on minorities and temples in Bangladesh. Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar told parliament:

  What was particularly worrying was that minorities, their businesses and temples also came under attack at multiple locations. The full extent of this is still not clear.

• Australian Minister of Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen also expressed concern for the situation in Bangladesh, pointing out the violence and challenges ethnic and religious minorities go through. Bowen said in a session at the Australian Parliament:

  As I said at the outset, all violence to all Bangladeshis is to be deplored". Bowen cited reports of widespread damage, looting and attacks, including 725 homes and business houses damaged, 724 looted, 58 set on fire and damage to 17 places of worship, with 21 looted.

• Two US lawmakers Congressmen Shri Thanedar and Raja Krishnamoorthi, have urged the U.S. government to intervene in response to the escalating violence against minority Hindus in Bangladesh following the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. They highlighted that the instability in the region, exacerbated by religious intolerance and violence, threatens US interests. Both lawmakers called for direct engagement with the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus to end the violence, protect minority communities, and bring perpetrators to justice. Thanedar also urged the Biden administration to grant refugee status to persecuted Bangladeshi Hindus. and Congressmen Rich McCormick said in statement on X:

  I'm praying that the people of Bangladesh will know peace and stability again soon. I'm deeply disturbed by the reports of sectarian violence targeting members of the Hindu minority and will work with my colleagues on the House Foreign Affairs Committee to help promote a peaceful democratic transition in Bangladesh.

  US embassy Dhaka said in a statement:

U.S. Embassy Dhaka reiterates calls for calm and peace. We are concerned about reports of attacks on religious minorities and religious sites in Bangladesh. As a friend and partner to the Bangladeshi people, the United States will continue to support Bangladesh's democratic aspirations and respect for human rights.

• Canadian MP Chandra Arya has expressed deep concern for the violence against religious minorities, including Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians, in Bangladesh and mentioned that the number of religious minorities has significantly decreased. He also told that the Hindu community in Canada, whose families are in Bangladesh, are worried because of the safety of the people, their temples, and properties there, and they will rally at Parliament Hill.
• Delegation of the European Commission said in statement:

EU Heads of Mission in Dhaka are very concerned about incoming reports of multiple attacks against places of worship and members of religious, ethnic and other minorities in Bangladesh.

We welcome the endeavours by the student movement and others to protect minorities.

We urgently appeal to all parties to exercise restraint, reject communal violence and uphold the fundamental human rights of all Bangladeshis.

— European Union in Bangladesh

• Member of the House of Representatives of the Netherlands Geert Wilders wrote:

The violence against Hindus in Bangladesh is horrific. They are being killed and their houses and temples burnt by barbaric Islamic mobs. This must be stopped immediately!

• Israeli ambassador to India Naor Gilon has expressed concern over reports of atrocities against minorities in Bangladesh.

Organisations

• UN Deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq said condemned the attacks on minorities in Bangladesh, saying:

  What we've made clear is we want to make sure that the violence that has been occurring in Bangladesh in recent weeks is tamped down. Certainly, we stand against any racially based attacks or racially based incitement to violence.

• Association of British Muslims issued a fatwa condemning the attacks on Hindus and urged Bengali Muslims to stand in solidarity with Hindus and other minority communities.
• Deputy Regional Director for South Asia at Amnesty International, Babu Ram Pant, said:

Amnesty International urges the Bangladeshi authorities to conduct a swift, thorough, impartial and independent investigation into the crimes against Hindu, Ahmadi and other minority communities and associated incidents of mob violence and ensure that those responsible are prosecuted in fair and transparent trials, without resorting to the death penalty.

Individuals

Donald Trump

Condemning the barbaric violence against religious minorities in Bangladesh, former US President Donald Trump wrote,

I strongly condemn the barbaric violence against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities who are getting attacked and looted by mobs in Bangladesh, which remains in a total state of chaos.

Baroness Sandip Verma

In a letter sent to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Baroness Sandip Verma of Leicester, a member of the House of Lords, wrote:

I am writing to you about serious concerns that have been raised with me from family and friends and community organisations, of the vicious attacks by gangs on the Hindu community and other minority communities in Bangladesh, religious places of worship, businesses and homes have been burnt down, with untold violence on innocent people taking place with little police intervention. There needs to be immediate public condemnation of these crimes, the Chief Adviser to the Interim Government of Bangladesh, Mr Muhammad Yunus, must order the full force of the law and the courts in bringing the perpetrators of these heinous crimes to book. Whilst UK is a strong ally of Bangladesh, the persecution and attacks on the Hindu and other minority communities cannot be allowed to continue and ask that this matter is raised immediately at the highest levels.

Pierre Poilievre

In a statement Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said On The Situation In Bangladesh:

“Conservatives stand with the people of Bangladesh during this difficult time. We are very concerned about the hundreds killed and thousands injured during student-led protests and horrified by the subsequent violence against religious minorities, including Hindus and Christians, who are being senselessly targeted by violent mobs.

“We condemn the violations of human rights by the authorities in Bangladesh and condemn all instances of violence against innocent and peaceful people.

“We call for the restoration of democracy and the rule of law, ensuring all Bengalis are protected and enjoy equal citizenship. We call for justice for the murdered and the persecuted, and an end to the violence against Bangladesh’s religious minorities.

“During this time of transition in government, we call for calm and stability and stand with all Canadian Bengalis whose families and loved ones face danger and uncertainty. “Conservatives will continue to advocate for democracy, freedom, human rights and the rule of law.”

Vivek Ramaswamy

Vivek Ramaswamy said in an X (formerly Twitter) post:

The targeted violence against Hindus in Bangladesh is wrong, it's concerning.

Preity Zinta

Preity Zinta in X (Formally Twitter) post said:

Devastated & heartbroken to hear of the violence in Bangladesh against their minority population. People killed, families displaced, women violated & places of worship being vandalized & burnt. Hope the new govt. takes appropriate steps in stopping the violence & protecting its people. My thoughts & prayers for everyone facing hardship #SaveBangladesiHindus

Pawan Kalyan

Pawan Kalyan's Appeal To UN To Protect Minorities In Bangladesh. He said:

The recent visuals & pictures from Bangladesh are heart wrenching and concerning. I call upon the @UNHumanRights @UN_HRC and Bangladesh High Commission in India to take immediate necessary action and restore peace and order in Bangladesh. I pray for the safety, security and stability to all minorities and Hindus in Bangladesh.

Disinformation

See also: Non-cooperation movement (2024) § Disinformation by Indian media

Gobinda Pramanik, president of the Bangladesh National Hindu Grand Alliance, criticized the Indian media, suggesting that they inaccurately portrayed the situation. Pramanik, who was expelled from the organization, become the president of the same organization again after the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government. Later on August 7, the General Secretary of the same organisation, Dr. Mrityunjoy Kumar Roy, stated that Pramanik's statement to the media was false and "extremely insulting and shameful" for the Hindu community of the country and urged him to publicly apologize.

BNP leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy also refuted claims made by Indian media that his party is anti-Hindu, asserting that the BNP has been inclusive of all communities in Bangladesh and has consistently supported all religious groups.

According to a report by Prothom Alo, fake videos regarding attacks on the Hindu community in Bangladesh were spread from some Indian X (formerly Twitter) accounts. A video sourced from X claiming an attack on the Navagraha Temple, shown on the official YouTube channel Republic TV. The online verification platform Dismiss Lab identified the video as being related to a different incident. A false report also claimed that the house of Bangladeshi cricketer Liton Das had been set on fire, which was later proven false. Das himself refuted the claim in a Facebook post. The Indian media outlet India Today has published a report on how rumors are being spread on X regarding attacks on Hindus.

In an interview given to Al Jazeera, Javed Ur Rahman said that the Indian media publishes reports from an Islamophobic perspective and that was a popular movement Bangladesh.

BBC News and Deutsche Welle, France 24 and some fack-checking websites highlighted several rumors circulated on X and other social medias.

See also

• Persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh
• 2024 Bangladesh post-resignation violence
• 2024 Hazari Goli unrest
• Freedom of religion in Bangladesh
• Human rights in Bangladesh