DHAKA, Dec 22 — Bangladesh’s religious minorities, particularly the Hindu community, are increasingly fearful of growing attacks amid the country’s ongoing political instability. A recent spate of violence, including the arson of a Hindu temple near the capital Dhaka, has raised alarms over the safety of these communities, with some warning that the political turmoil could further exacerbate religious tensions.
The 50-year-old Lakshmi temple in Dhour, a village outside Dhaka, became the target of arsonists on December 7, when assailants broke into the building, set fire to its idols, and tore open its roof to avoid security cameras. The attack occurred in the wake of the political upheaval that saw the ousting of long-time autocratic leader Sheikh Hasina in August, a period which has seen a surge in communal violence.
Swapna Ghosh, a Hindu devotee from the village, shared her fears. “We don’t feel safe anymore,” she said, describing how her son acted quickly to douse the flames, preventing the temple from being destroyed. “The attackers knew how to avoid detection. Otherwise, the temple and all of us would have been reduced to ashes,” said Ratan Kumar Ghosh, the temple custodian.
Hindus make up approximately 8% of Bangladesh’s predominantly Muslim population of 170 million, and the community has long faced sporadic attacks. However, in the aftermath of political upheaval, there has been an increase in targeted violence, particularly against religious minorities perceived as supporters of Sheikh Hasina’s administration.
Political turmoil and rising attacks
The violent episode on December 7 is part of a troubling pattern of attacks on Hindus since Hasina’s ousting in August. Political analysts have suggested that Hindus, who were seen as loyal to the former Prime Minister, are now being scapegoated amid the broader unrest. This political instability has also fuelled attacks on Muslim Sufi shrines, perpetrated by hardline Islamist groups.
“These incidents break the harmony and trust that have existed in our communities for generations,” said temple guardian Ratan Kumar Ghosh, speaking to AFP. “Neither I, nor my forefathers, nor the villagers have ever witnessed such communal violence.”
Hasina, 77, fled Bangladesh in early August, escaping to India after being overthrown by a student-led uprising. In India, she has found refuge under the Hindu-nationalist government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a move that has infuriated many Bangladeshis who hold Hasina responsible for alleged “mass murder” during her rule.
Persistent violence against minorities
While attacks against Hindus in Bangladesh are not new, rights groups have noted an alarming rise in the frequency and scale of these incidents since August. According to Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), a Dhaka-based rights organisation, there were 118 incidents of communal violence against Hindus between January and November 2023. This is a significant increase from the previous year, which saw 22 attacks and 43 incidents of vandalism. Notably, August saw the highest number of incidents, with 63 attacks, including two fatalities.
“This year has been particularly violent, but it’s not the first time we’ve seen such attacks,” said Abu Ahmed Faijul Kabir, a rights activist. “In fact, there hasn’t been a single year under Hasina’s rule without such violence.”
The violence is also not confined to Hindus alone. Islamist groups have attacked Muslim Sufi shrines and members of the Baul mystic sect, both of which are viewed as heretical by some conservative Muslims.
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Political parties using minorities as pawns
For many in Bangladesh, the root of the violence lies in the political manipulation of religious minorities by both major political parties. Hindu businessman and devotee Chandan Saha, 59, explained, “Political rulers have repeatedly used minorities as pawns in their struggles for power.” Both the ruling Awami League (AL) and the opposition Bangladesh National Party (BNP) have been accused of manipulating religious communities to further their own political agendas.
Saha added, “If we didn’t support AL, we faced threats, and when we did, BNP blamed us for siding with the government. This cycle needs to end.”
Calls for dialogue and end to violence
In the wake of this ongoing violence, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, who has been appointed Bangladesh’s “chief adviser,” has called for dialogue between religious and political groups. However, many critics believe this will not be enough to address the root causes of the violence. Sukomal Barua, a professor of religion at Dhaka University, stated, “To establish a peaceful country where all faiths coexist in harmony, the head of state must engage regularly with faith leaders to foster understanding.”
Meanwhile, Sumon Roy, the founder of the Bangladesh Hindu Lawyers’ Association, noted that the minority community is often treated as a monolithic bloc by political parties. “We have all been used as tools by political leaders,” Roy said. “This cycle of violence and political manipulation must come to an end if we are to live in peace.”
As Bangladesh grapples with its political turmoil, the safety and security of its religious minorities remain in jeopardy, with many fearing that the cycle of violence is far from over. The international community, particularly in neighbouring India, has expressed concern over the rising attacks on Hindus and other religious groups in Bangladesh, but it remains to be seen whether these calls for intervention will lead to meaningful action.
