The Centre for Democracy, Pluralism, and Human Rights (CDPHR) hosted an event at the Constitution Club of India to launch its latest report on Bangladesh’s ongoing political unrest and human rights crisis. The report focuses on the protests that erupted on June 5, 2024, and the subsequent targeting of religious minorities, particularly Hindus, as the country descended into chaos.
The event was attended by a distinguished panel of speakers, including Shri Swapan Dasgupta, Former Member of Parliament and Renowned Journalist; Shri Abhijit Majumder, Prominent Journalist and Author; and Shri Deep Halder, Author of Being Hindu in Bangladesh and Journalist. Dr. Prerna Malhotra, President of CDPHR, delivered the keynote address.
Key Findings Of The Report:
- Political Unrest and Escalation: The report details the months-long student-led protests that began over the controversial government job quota issue. Initially, the protests were non-political but were later co-opted by Islamist and right-wing opposition parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami. As the movement intensified, calls for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation became central to the protests.
- Systematic Attacks on Minorities: After Prime Minister Hasina fled the country, the report highlights a wave of systematic violence targeting religious minorities, particularly Hindus. The CDPHR verified over 200 cases of anti-Hindu attacks across 52 districts between August 5 and August 9, 2024. The report also documents the forced resignation of minority teachers and the destruction of homes and businesses in over 27 districts.
- Information Warfare and Narrative Denial: The report emphasizes the disinformation campaign led by the BNP, which attempted to downplay the violence against minorities. Global media outlets, including Al Jazeera, are accused of dismissing these attacks as “alarmist” and framing them in a geopolitical context, rather than recognizing the religious persecution.
- Role of Global Powers: The report sheds light on the involvement of American diplomats and civil society groups in Bangladesh’s internal politics, suggesting the existence of covert U.S. efforts to influence regime change. The role of global media and diplomats in shaping the narrative is critiqued, especially in downplaying the plight of religious minorities.
- Future of Religious Minorities: The report expresses deep concern over the future of religious minorities in Bangladesh. The interim government has reportedly aligned with Islamist factions, raising fears of continued violence and persecution. The CDPHR warns that without international intervention, the Hindu population in Bangladesh may face extinction in the coming decades.
Former Rajya Sabha MP Swapan Dasgupta emphasized the rapid escalation of violence against Hindus following Prime Minister Hasina’s departure. He called for stronger protections for Bangladeshi Hindus, including better immigration policies to support refugees and a clear message from India affirming its commitment to protecting the Hindu diaspora. He criticized the systemic discrepancies where Hindus often enter India without proper documentation, while Jamaat members, Muslims, and Rohingyas enter with voter cards and Aadhar cards. He also pointed out that Bangladesh’s policy seems to involve offloading its population burden onto India, with groups like Khalida Zia’s supporters, who are known for their anti-India sentiment, exacerbating the situation. He urged India to send a clear message that it remains open to Bangladeshi Hindus, affirming their status as part of the broader Indian family and recognizing the need to support and safeguard them in the face of such persecution.
Columnist and journalist Abhijit Majumder pointed out the alarming trend of anti-Hindu attacks over the past eight years, criticizing India’s over-reliance on Sheikh Hasina’s regime and the lack of a coherent strategy to protect minorities in Bangladesh. He revealed a disturbing trend of about 450 attacks per year over the past eight years. This rise in violence points to a significant failure on the part of the Bharat government and Hindu society in effectively addressing the situation in Bangladesh, largely due to an over-reliance on Sheikh Hasina and a lack of consideration for alternative approaches. He also questioned why there had been no strategic exploration of a third front over the years, contrasting this with Bharat’s successful diplomatic engagement in Afghanistan, where dialogues even included the Taliban. He criticized the miscalculation in Bangladesh, attributing it to a narrow perspective rooted in the context of 1971, he added that to effectively address rising violence and ensure better protection for Hindus and Buddhists, Hindu organizations need to mobilize street power by rallying people and funds. Simultaneously, treat Bangladesh as an Islamic country and try to open channels with all stakeholders, including smaller neighbors but not solely relying on the façade of peace and remaining vigilant to prevent future harms.
Senior journalist Deep Halder discussed the growing Islamization in Bangladesh, the rise of madrassas spreading hatred, and the systemic persecution faced by Hindus under the current regime. He said that the situation of “Islamo-trauma” is currently occurring in Bangladesh, exemplified by the prosecution of minorities during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure, which has been a persistent concern. He further added that this situation is compounded by the influence of madrassas that propagate hatred among the youth, exacerbating communal tensions. He pointed out that for the first time, global media had to address the plight of Hindus, highlighting the severe discrimination they faced. Efforts to obscure these realities included the forced resignation of Hindus from their jobs, which was attempted to be masked by creating misleading narratives, the protections once afforded to Hindus by Sheikh Hasina’s government are now gone was also pointed out by Deep Halder. He said that even during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure, Hindus faced persistent attacks. He said that while Md. Yunus may make optimistic statements, the harsh realities on the ground paint a different picture. He urged global media and human rights organizations to recognize and act against these atrocities.
The CDPHR calls on the international community to step in and address the ongoing crisis in Bangladesh. The organization stresses that Bangladesh must uphold its constitutional obligations to protect all citizens, including minorities, and cease its pandering to extremist elements.
India, in particular, is urged to take a more proactive role in supporting persecuted minorities in Bangladesh, both diplomatically and through humanitarian aid. The CDPHR report concludes that India has a “civilizational responsibility” to ensure the survival and protection of its ethnic and religious kin across the border.
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