The Hindu community in Bangladesh, constituting about 8 per cent of the population, is facing one of its most perilous moments in recent history. For years, they have endured systematic persecution, but the recent ousting of Sheikh Hasina’s government has pushed the situation to a crisis point. Protests by Hindus have erupted across the country, driven by fear and desperation, as attacks on temples, homes, and businesses escalate. This vulnerable minority is calling for justice and protection in a country where they have long been marginalised and abandoned.
Interim Prime Minister Muhammad Yunus has promised to protect the Hindu minority, pledging compensation for victims and safety for religious communities. But these assurances are being met with increasing scepticism. The reality on the ground tells a starkly different story. Attacks on Hindus have continued unabated, with reports of vandalism, arson, and even murder. The government’s controversial decisions, such as lifting bans on extremist groups and engaging with radical leaders, have only deepened the community’s fears. Yunus’s words of protection feel hollow when juxtaposed with the inaction and violence Hindus continue to face daily.
This escalating persecution demands urgent international attention. Human rights organisations, global leaders, and advocacy groups must pressure the Bangladeshi government to take immediate, concrete steps to safeguard its minority populations. The Hindu community in Bangladesh is on the brink of a humanitarian crisis, and without external intervention, the situation will only worsen. The Yunus government must be held accountable for its promises, and the international community must ensure that the rights, safety, and dignity of all minorities are protected. If left unchecked, this violence could spiral into a tragedy of global proportions.
Historical Context and Recent Protests
The Hindu community in Bangladesh has a long history of facing persecution and violence. This minority group has often been caught in the crossfire of political and religious tensions, leading to a persistent sense of insecurity and marginalisation. The recent political upheaval, marked by the ouster of Sheikh Hasina’s government, has only intensified these issues, bringing them to a boiling point.
Under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership, there were efforts, albeit limited, to protect minority rights and promote secularism. However, her departure has left a vacuum that has been quickly filled by forces less sympathetic to the Hindu community. The rise in attacks on Hindu temples, homes, and businesses is a stark indicator of this shift. These incidents are not isolated; they are part of a broader pattern of violence and intimidation that has plagued the Hindu community for decades.
The recent surge in violence has led to widespread protests by Hindus across Bangladesh. These protests are not just about the immediate incidents of violence but are a desperate cry for safety and justice in a country where they have long been marginalised. The community feels betrayed and vulnerable, as the promises of protection and equality seem increasingly hollow in the face of escalating attacks.
The protests are also a reflection of the deep-seated frustration and fear within the Hindu community. For many, the current situation is reminiscent of past atrocities, such as the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, where Hindus were targeted en masse. The community’s call for justice is not just about addressing recent events but also about seeking recognition and redress for historical grievances.
Yunus Softens Stance on Jamaat: A Betrayal of Promises to Protect Hindus
In a troubling development, interim Prime Minister of Bangladesh Muhammad Yunus is showing signs of going soft on Jamaat-e-Islami, a notorious Islamist political group with a long history of violence and extremism. This shift in approach sends a clear and dangerous signal: Yunus has no real intention of protecting the Hindu minority in Bangladesh, despite his public promises of security and justice.
Jamaat-e-Islami, known for its radical ideology and involvement in past atrocities, has been a source of fear for religious minorities in Bangladesh for decades. Under Sheikh Hasina’s government, efforts were made to restrict their influence, but Yunus has not only lifted these restrictions, he is actively engaging with their leaders. This soft stance emboldens extremist factions within the country, and it’s no coincidence that attacks on Hindus have surged since his government took over. The message is clear—Hindus are not a priority, and the government’s inaction only fuels the fire of communal violence.
Yunus’s overtures to Jamaat are not just political manoeuvres—they represent a betrayal of the Hindu community and backtracking on his commitments to protect religious minorities. The lifting of bans on extremist groups is a tacit endorsement of their ideology, leaving Hindus vulnerable to further violence and persecution. It’s a troubling indication that Yunus is more concerned with consolidating power than ensuring the safety of his people.
The international community cannot ignore this blatant disregard for human rights. If Bangladesh’s leadership continues to coddle extremist groups like Jamaat, the Hindu community will face an even graver threat. Yunus’s actions must be condemned, and pressure must be applied to ensure that protecting religious minorities becomes a priority, not an afterthought.
Promises vs Reality
Muhammad Yunus has repeatedly pledged to protect Bangladesh’s Hindu minority, offering assurances of safety and compensation for victims of violence. His public commitments came during a period of escalating attacks against the community, following the ouster of Hasina’s government. Yunus’s statements were aimed at calming tensions and portraying his administration as one dedicated to minority rights. He even suggested that the violence was politically motivated, not communal, attempting to downplay the scale of the issue. To reinforce this message, he hosted events like the Janmashtami reception, in a bid to promote interfaith harmony.
However, these gestures have done little to reassure the Hindu community, which remains sceptical of Yunus’s intentions. Reports of continued violence paint a grim picture that stands in stark contrast to his promises. Furthermore, the government’s actions, such as lifting bans on extremist groups and meeting with radical leaders, have only deepened the community’s distrust. These moves not only contradict Yunus’s rhetoric but also suggest a troubling lack of genuine commitment to safeguarding the rights and safety of religious minorities.
The growing disparity between Yunus’s promises and the harsh realities on the ground has left the Hindu community feeling abandoned and vulnerable. Their scepticism is not unfounded; it is rooted in the consistent pattern of persecution they face and the government’s failure to take meaningful action. As violence persists and trust erodes, the need for real, concrete measures becomes ever more urgent.
Bangladesh Under Yunus: A Drift Toward Islamism
Bangladesh is treading a dangerous path under Muhammad Yunus, as his government’s actions increasingly signal a shift toward a more Islamist state. This drift, characterised by concessions to extremist groups and a softening stance on radical Islam, poses a serious threat to the Hindu minority in the country.
Yunus’s administration has lifted restrictions on extremist factions like Jamaat-e-Islami, known for their role in communal violence and hatred against non-Muslims. This emboldening of radical elements is a clear signal that Yunus is more interested in securing political alliances than protecting the pluralistic identity of Bangladesh. For Hindus, this political manoeuvring translates into increased violence and persecution, as they become easy targets in a society that is becoming increasingly polarised along religious lines.
The rise of Islamism under Yunus also erodes the secular foundations upon which Bangladesh was built. The more space the government gives to radical voices, the more difficult it becomes for Hindus and other minorities to live without fear. The international community must act before Bangladesh becomes another hotspot for religious intolerance. Yunus’s government must be held accountable for this dangerous trajectory or the consequences will be dire for Bangladeshi Hindus.
The author, a columnist and research scholar, teaches journalism at St. Xavier’s College (autonomous), Kolkata. His handle on X is @sayantan_gh. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18’s views.
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