Dhaka, Bangladesh: Krishna Das never imagined his peaceful life in Sunamganj, a northeastern district of Bangladesh, would be shattered on what seemed like an ordinary Tuesday evening last week.
The catalyst for the unrest was an accusation of blasphemy. A young Hindu man, Akash Das, allegedly posted an offensive comment about the Quran on Facebook. The post spread rapidly across social media, inciting protests and tensions, especially in the predominantly Muslim community of Dowarabazar, about 270 kilometers (168 miles) from Dhaka, the national capital.
Krishna was at home in Monglargaon village when the unrest reached his doorstep around 8 p.m. “I heard shouting from the market,” he recalled. “I couldn’t understand what was happening, but I knew something was wrong.”
Stepping outside, he saw people gathering, chanting slogans. The crowd quickly turned into a mob armed with sticks and batons. “I rushed inside, locked the doors, and tried to hide,” Krishna said. “But they broke in anyway.”
The violence escalated, even though Akash Das, the 17-year-old accused, had already been arrested under the Cyber Security Act before the mob attacked Monglargaon.
“They destroyed everything,” said Krishna, a small-scale farmer. “It was as if our lives didn’t matter. They smashed windows, destroyed furniture, looted money and jewelry, even taking kitchen utensils.”
The attackers set part of his home on fire. Although Krishna managed to extinguish the flames, his tin-roofed house was left in ruins. When Al Jazeera met Krishna four days later, his wife and two teenage sons were staying with relatives in the city. “They were terrified,” Krishna said in an exhausted voice.
At least 20 other Hindu homes in Monglargaon were similarly attacked. Bijon Das, another victim, recounted how his wife and daughters fled through the backdoor into the jungle. “I sent them to my relatives in Sylhet city,” he said, noting that several Hindu men stayed behind to guard their homes.
The mob violence lasted for three to four hours before security forces intervened. Local journalist AR Jewel, who was at the scene, estimated that about 20 properties were damaged. However, Meher Nigar Tanu, the top bureaucrat for the subdistrict, downplayed the violence, stating that only “a few homes and shops were slightly damaged.”
Authorities, including the army and police, are working to restore security for the region’s Hindus, Tanu said. But fear lingers. Many houses in Monglargaon remained locked, and the streets were eerily quiet last Friday morning as security forces patrolled.
A Community’s Deep Insecurity
For many Hindus in Bangladesh, Monglargaon epitomizes their growing vulnerability. The ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August marked a turning point. Hasina fled to India following widespread protests against her authoritarian rule. More than 1,000 people were killed during the crackdown by her security forces before her resignation.
India, seen as propping up Hasina’s regime, is widely perceived as having fostered sympathy for the Hindu minority, which comprises about 10% of Bangladesh’s population. However, the fall of her administration unleashed violence and revenge, with Hindu communities bearing a disproportionate brunt.
Between August 4 and August 20, the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council (BHBCUC) reported 2,000 incidents of communal violence, including nine Hindu deaths and 69 attacks on places of worship. However, Netra News, an independent investigative outlet, determined that the deaths were politically or personally motivated rather than religiously driven.
Indian media outlets, particularly those aligned with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have been accused of exaggerating the violence. An investigation by Rumor Scanner, a Bangladeshi fact-checking organization, identified at least 13 false reports by 49 Indian media outlets between August 12 and December 5, 2024.
A Twofold Challenge
Hindus in Bangladesh face a dual challenge: navigating the genuine threats at home while countering disinformation that exacerbates their insecurity. “The way some Indian media twist the reality and spread fear doesn’t help us,” said Deboraj Bhattacharjee, a Hindu banker in Dhaka.
Chakravarty, a pharmacy owner in Dowarabazar, recounted his harrowing experience. Trapped inside his shop for 2.5 hours during the mob attack, he feared for his three-year-old daughter. “If it weren’t for my daughter, I might not have survived. The attackers might have beaten me to death,” he said, his voice breaking.
Chakravarty’s pharmacy was damaged, while his uncle’s nearby pharmacy was completely looted. “The attackers left nothing, not even paracetamol,” he said. Returning home, he found his house ransacked and belongings destroyed.
Systemic Issues and Historical Context
The violence against Hindus underscores systemic challenges in Bangladesh. The ousting of Hasina’s Awami League has emboldened fundamentalist groups, while the interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has struggled to restore order.
Yunus’s administration has dismissed some reports of violence as exaggerated but acknowledged genuine incidents. “Freedom of religion and security for all are priorities,” Yunus said, urging national unity.
Activists continue to demand legal protections, including a minority ministry and a tribunal for prosecuting oppression. However, tensions rose further following the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, a Hindu monk associated with ISKCON, for allegedly desecrating the Bangladeshi flag. His detention sparked protests, leading to clashes with police.
Looking Ahead
Many Hindus argue that their plight predates the current administration. While Hasina’s secular stance provided a psychological sense of safety, systemic issues persisted. Between 2013 and 2021, rights groups documented thousands of attacks on Hindus, including vandalism, arson, and targeted violence.
The removal of secularism from the constitution, a suggestion floated by the current attorney general, could further jeopardize minority rights. “Removing secularism will send a clear message that minorities no longer matter,” Bhattacharjee warned.
The interim government faces mounting pressure to protect religious minorities and restore trust. “The real challenge isn’t combating disinformation from abroad,” Bhattacharjee said. “It’s ensuring safety and security at home.”
