Following Sheikh Hasina's departure from the country, social media has been inundated with reports of attacks on Hindu properties and temples in Bangladesh. This situation poses a significant concern for India, particularly as the Indian community, especially its minority members, faces increasing threats. Additionally, the unrest raises fears of large-scale infiltration into India.
In Bangladesh, minority Hindus are often perceived as supporters of Sheikh Hasina's Awami League party, making them frequent targets for opposition groups. India's Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar expressed concern in Parliament on August 6, stating, "What is most disturbing is the minorities living there. There have been reports of attacks on their shops and temples at many places. However, complete information about this is not yet available."
An ISKCON temple in Meherpur, situated in Bangladesh's Khulna division, along with a Kali temple, was vandalized and set ablaze.
"One of our rented ISKCON centers in Meherpur was burned, including the deities of Lord Jagannath, Baladev, and Subhadra Devi. Fortunately, three devotees residing at the center managed to escape and survive," tweeted ISKCON spokesperson Yudhistir Govinda Das.
Many young Muslims also stepping forward to protect Hindus
Despite the violence, there are instances of solidarity, with many young Muslims stepping forward to protect the homes and religious sites of Hindus in an effort to curb the violence. There have been videos of Bangladesh's Muslim clerics guarding a Hindu temple in Cumilla. Another video showed a group of students protecting the Dhakeshwari Mandir in Dhaka.
2 Hindu councillors killed
Hindu councillor Haradhan Roy of the Rangpur City Corporation was reportedly killed on Sunday August 4, marking one of the deadliest days since the protests began. Another councillor, identified as Kajal Roy, was also allegedly lynched. On that day, over 100 individuals lost their lives as protesters demanded Sheikh Hasina's resignation and engaged in clashes with the police.
11 million Hindus emigrated from Bangladesh
Currently, Hindus constitute approximately 8 percent of Bangladesh's population, which amounts to around 13.1 million individuals. In 1951, Hindus represented 22 percent of the population in Bangladesh. According to a report by the Hindu American Foundation, more than 11 million Hindus emigrated from Bangladesh due to religious persecution between 1964 and 2013.
The removal of Hasina could lead to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami gaining a significant presence in the political landscape, potentially resulting in an influx of Hindu refugees.
India shares a nearly 4,096 km long land and riverine border with Bangladesh.
Be prepared to give refuge to one crore Hindu refugees: Adhikari
Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Suvendu Adhikari has already warned the Mamata Banerjee-led government of being prepared to give refuge to one crore Hindus from Bangladesh.
"If this situation doesn't come under control, mentally be prepared to give refuge to one crore Hindu refugees. If the situation is not controlled there, Jamaat and radicals will take control," Adhikari told reporters.
BJP leader Sunil Deodhar took to X to stress that the safety of Hindus in Bangladesh should be the priority. "Widespread violence against Hindus has been reported. Regardless of the issue, whenever the sentiments of Muslims are ignited, they target only 'Kafirs' in 'their' land," Deodhar tweeted..
Hindu communities in Bangladesh have been vulnerable
Historically, Hindu communities in Bangladesh have been vulnerable, particularly during times of political transition, such as when the Awami League loses power. Data from Ain O Salish Kendra, a human rights organization in Bangladesh, indicates that between January 2013 and September 2021, there were 3,679 reported attacks on the Hindu community, including acts of vandalism, arson, and targeted violence.
In the wake of the attacks during the Durga Puja celebrations in 2021, Amnesty International remarked, "The continuous attacks on individuals, communal violence, and destruction of minority homes and places of worship in Bangladesh over the past several years show that this country has failed to fulfill its obligation to protect minorities."
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