Rising Violence Against Hindus in Bangladesh Following PM’s Resignation

The resignation and departure of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5, 2024, has triggered a wave of violence against the Hindu community across Bangladesh. According to a press release from the World Hindu Federation Bangladesh Chapter, Islamist extremists have launched coordinated attacks on Hindu leaders, homes, temples, and businesses in at least 43 districts, leading to significant loss of life and property.

Fatalities and Kidnappings

The violence has resulted in the deaths of at least six Hindus: Haradhan Roy, Kajal Roy, Mrinal Kanti Chaterjee, Basudev Das, Santosh Kumar, and one unidentified individual. Furthermore, three Hindu girls have been kidnapped, and two others have been raped, exacerbating the sense of fear and insecurity among the community.

Extensive Property Damage

Reports indicate widespread destruction, with more than 61 Hindu temples vandalized, looted, and burnt. Over 265 Hindu homes and 163 Hindu businesses have faced similar fates, leaving many families homeless and without livelihood.

Detailed Accounts of Violence

Rangpur

In Rangpur, two Hindu councillors, Haradhan Roy and Kajal Roy, were killed. Roy, associated with the Parshuram Thana Awami League, was shot dead, while Kajal Roy was also murdered on Sunday.

Sherpur

In Sherpur, the home of the president of the Sribardi Upazila Youth Unity Council and three other Hindu houses were attacked. A Kali temple and a Durga temple were vandalized and looted.

Narail

In Narail, Awami League leader Basudev Das was killed, and his son Tipul Kumar Das was seriously injured on August 7, 2024. Perpetrators burnt his house and temple, while 10-12 Hindu-owned shops and two Kali temples in Shuktagram, Kalia Upazila, were looted and burnt.

Habigonj

In Habigonj, Hindu police officer Santosh Kumar was killed inside Baniachang Thana. Six to seven Hindu houses in Sadar Upazila were vandalized and looted, and a Durga temple was burnt.

Khulna

In Khulna, several Hindu homes, including those of Shyamal Kumar Das and Swajan Kumar Das, were attacked. An unidentified Hindu man was killed, and multiple houses and two Durga temples were vandalized and looted.

Feni

In Feni, the Bashpara Durga Temple was looted and burnt, and four to five Hindu shops were set on fire.

Dinajpur

In Dinajpur, the Fulthala cremation ground was occupied, and five temples, including Kali Mandir in Parbatipur, were vandalized. Seven houses in Setabganj Bochakganj and Dhalla village were looted.

Manikgonj

In Manikgonj, four to five Hindu houses were looted, and a Hindu girl was raped in Valuka Upazila.

Faridpur

In Faridpur, eight to nine Hindu houses and five to six shops were looted and vandalized in Dengamari and Krishnapur villages. A Shiva temple and a Kali temple were burnt in Boyalmari.

Thakurgaon

In Thakurgaon, Sahadev Roy’s house and eight to nine others in Sadar Upazila were attacked. A cremation temple in Pirganj was burnt, along with a Durga temple and a Kali temple.

Jhenaidah

In Jhenaidah, ongoing violence has affected 10 minority families’ homes in Chaklapara and six to seven shops in Kotchandpur. The Radha Gobinda temple was also vandalized.

Pabna

In Pabna, 10-12 minority homes in Hathuria and Bera Thana were attacked, and a Hindu girl was raped. Two Kali temples were vandalized.

Nilphamari

In Nilphamari, five homes in Bamunia Union were attacked, and an attempted attack on several homes in Barakali Bari area was reported. Two temples were vandalized.

Bagerhat

In Bagerhat, Mrinal Kanti Chaterjee was killed in Paikpara village, and his family members were injured. A Kali temple and a Durga temple were burnt.

Shariatpur

In Shariatpur, journalist Dulal Saha’s house was attacked, and seven to eight other homes were vandalized. The Dhanuka Temple and a Durga temple were damaged.

Lalmonirhat

In Lalmonirhat, Amiya Prasad’s house and five others in Panchagram Union were attacked. A Kali temple was burnt.

Mymensingh

In Mymensingh, six homes in Ward 32 of Shambhuganj area were attacked, and two temples in Haluaghat Thana were vandalized.

Netrokona

In Netrokona, the Ramakrishna Mission and ISKCON temple were vandalized, along with three to four Hindu houses.

Munshiganj

In Munshiganj Sadar, three houses and four shops were attacked.

Pirojpur

In Pirojpur, eight houses in Barnuripara area were vandalized.

Jhalokathi

In Jhalokathi, four houses and two temples were attacked.

Chandpur

In Chandpur, Haripada Das’s house and seven others in Faridganj Upazila were attacked. A Hindu temple was looted.

Narayanganj

In Narayanganj, Ram Doctor’s house and nine to ten others in Araihazar area were attacked. Two temples and more than 12 shops in Chachara area were looted.

Chittagong

In Chittagong, M/S Unity LPG Filling Station was set on fire, and multiple homes and shops were vandalized in Bashkali Upazila and Rawzan Thana.

Call for International Intervention

Dipan Mitra, Secretary General of the World Hindu Federation Bangladesh Chapter, has appealed to global leaders to intervene and stop the atrocities against the Hindu minority in Bangladesh. The federation urges immediate actions to ensure the safety and security of the Hindu community’s lives and property.

This extensive and coordinated violence has left the Hindu community in Bangladesh living in a state of fear and insecurity. With 2.5 crore Hindus facing increasing threats, there is a dire need for swift and decisive action to restore peace and order in the country.