Protests and Political Unrest:
On Monday, widespread protests erupted in Bangladesh, culminating in the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The demonstrations, initially sparked by a controversial government job quota system, intensified and resulted in nearly 300 deaths. Protesters demanded Hasina’s resignation, leading to violent clashes and significant upheaval. Thousands of protesters stormed the prime minister’s palace, further escalating the crisis.
In response to the unrest, the government imposed an indefinite curfew starting from 6 pm on Sunday and announced a three-day closure of all establishments except essential services. The protests, which turned violent, prompted the deployment of troops who fired blank shots to disperse crowds without using live ammunition. Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman announced the formation of an interim government and urged protesters to end the violence, assuring that normalcy would be restored within two days.
Communal Violence Against Christians and Hindus:
Islamist groups, emboldened by the lack of strong leadership, have seized the opportunity to target the Christian and Hindu minority, who have long been subjected to discrimination and persecution in the Muslim-majority nation.
Amid the political turmoil, several incidents of communal violence were reported. The Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi area was among the sites damaged by protesters. Many Hindu temples across the country also suffered major damages. Kajol Debnath, leader of the Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, confirmed these incidents, noting that the situation remains tense.
The Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi 32, dedicated to Hasina’s father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was severely affected by fires set by protesters. Additionally, the house of Sheikh Sohel, Hasina’s cousin, was set ablaze, and a statue of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was vandalized in the Rajbari district. The office of Beximco House, a major pharmaceutical company, was also targeted and set on fire.
In recent violent incidents in Bangladesh, at least two Hindu councillors have been killed amid a broader wave of attacks targeting the Hindu community. In Rangpur district, Haradhan Roy of the Awami League and Kajal Roy were both murdered on Sunday, while Haradhan’s nephew was reportedly lynched by a mob. The violence extended to Hindu religious sites, including an attack on an ISKCON centre where deities were destroyed and the building was set on fire. Additionally, Hindu homes in Noakhali district were also assaulted, with footage showing mobs attempting to break into residences. These attacks have raised serious concerns about the safety and security of minority communities in the region.
In response to the escalating violence, the Minorities Unity Council of Bangladesh has issued contact information for leaders of Hindu temples, Christian churches, and Buddhist temples. This initiative aims to provide a direct line for members of the Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian communities to report any incidents of unrest or violence. By facilitating communication with these leaders, the council hopes to enhance community coordination and ensure prompt responses to emerging threats.
Comments and Reactions:
Political commentator Professor Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah described the day as a “Bloody Sunday,” emphasizing the communal turn of the violence. Exiled Bangladeshi activist Pinaki Bhattacharya urged students to march to Dhaka, declaring that the revolution had begun. A source from Bangladesh suggested that the opposition party might be receiving support from outside the subcontinent, contributing to the turmoil.
The situation remains volatile, with the interim government working to restore order and prevent further violence. The hope for peace and stability in Bangladesh persists amid these challenging times.
