bangaldesh hindus – The Commune https://thecommunemag.com Mainstreaming Alternate Wed, 14 Aug 2024 06:26:50 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 https://thecommunemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/cropped-TC_SF-1-32x32.jpg bangaldesh hindus – The Commune https://thecommunemag.com 32 32 International Outcry Over Attacks On Bangladeshi Hindus; Protests Erupt In US & UK https://thecommunemag.com/protests-bangladeshi-hindus-us-uk/ Tue, 13 Aug 2024 12:18:39 +0000 https://thecommunemag.com/?p=83198 The recent attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh following the ousting of Sheikh Hasina have garnered global attention with widespread protests. Demonstrations took place over the weekend in the US and the UK, with significant rallies outside the UK Houses of Parliament and in several American cities. Protests In The UK In the UK, a large […]

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The recent attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh following the ousting of Sheikh Hasina have garnered global attention with widespread protests. Demonstrations took place over the weekend in the US and the UK, with significant rallies outside the UK Houses of Parliament and in several American cities.

Protests In The UK

In the UK, a large crowd assembled outside the Houses of Parliament in London, including members of the Bangladeshi diaspora and Indian American Hindu allies. Protesters voiced their concerns about the deteriorating situation in Bangladesh, holding up posters with messages like “Protect our temples in Bangladesh” and “Hindu lives matter.”

Demonstrators also called for constitutional changes in Bangladesh to ensure equal treatment for all communities.

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) was criticised for biased coverage of the new Bangladeshi government. Although it has been highlighting the positive aspects of the new administration, it came under fire for its one-sided narrative. This led to protests outside its headquarters at Broadcasting House in London.

Protesters chanted slogans calling for a “BBC boycott” and questioned why the BBC remained silent on the violence against Hindus in Bangladesh.

Protests In The US

On the other hand, in the US, over 300 Indian American and Bangladeshi-origin Hindus gathered in Houston for the “Save Hindus in Bangladesh” rally organised by the Global Voice for Bangladesh Minorities. This coalition, representing prominent Houston Hindu groups, called on the Biden Administration to act decisively to protect minority communities in Bangladesh and to end the violence.

The protesters, including activists from various human rights organisations, carried signs and chanted slogans demanding justice and an end to the violence. They highlighted the severe conditions faced by Hindus in Bangladesh, citing reports of torture, killings, and temple destruction. The rally featured statements from leaders such as Achlesh Amar and Deepti Mahajan, who emphasised the urgent need for international intervention and minority protection.

In addition to these rallies, protests were also held outside the White House, where participants urged the US government to take a firm stance against the violence in Bangladesh. Among other speakers, Shubho Roy and Priyadarshani Saha called for a permanent solution to ensure the safety and dignity of minorities in Bangladesh.

In response to the escalating violence, including attacks on Hindu temples and communities, US lawmakers have voiced strong condemnation. Indian American Congressmen Ro Khanna and Raja Krishnamoorthi have called for immediate action from the Bangladeshi interim government and emphasised the need for justice and protection for all minorities. They have urged the US government and international bodies to address the situation urgently.

The US State Department has expressed deep concern over the ongoing violence and the targeting of religious and political groups in Bangladesh. The situation remains dire, with increasing reports of violence and casualties since the recent upheaval in the country.

Protests At The UN

Activists also assembled outside the United Nations headquarters, calling for the protection of Hindus and other minority groups in Bangladesh. Since the fall of the Hasina government, there have been reports of arson, looting, and attacks targeting minorities, including Bengali Hindus, Bengali Christians, and Bangladesh’s janjatiya (adivasi) communities. These incidents have fueled protests both within Bangladesh and internationally.

The global community continues to demand action and justice for the victims of these attacks, highlighting the urgent need for international intervention and support for minority communities in Bangladesh.

Widespread Violence Against Hindus in Bangladesh

On 5 August 2024, the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council published a report detailing a series of attacks on Hindu temples, homes, and businesses across the country amid ongoing political unrest. According to the Voice of Bangladeshi Hindus on social media platform X, these assaults occurred within a five-hour window. However, the actual number of incidents might be higher than those listed.

  • Sherpur: The residence of the president of the Sribardi Upazila Youth Unity Council was attacked, vandalised, and looted.
  • Khulna: Multiple properties were targeted, including the homes of Shyamal Kumar Das, Swajan Kumar Das, Biman Bihari Amit, Animesh Sarkar Rinku, and Jayanta Gain. Properties in Darpara, Koyra, were also attacked.
  • Feni: The Durga Temple was attacked, and in Dinajpur, the Fulthala cremation ground was forcibly occupied. Five temples, including the Kali Mandir in Parbatipur, were vandalised, and homes in Setabganj Bochakganj and Dhalla village were looted.
  • Lakshmipur: The house and office of Deepak Saha, leader of the Puja Celebration Council, were attacked and looted. Additionally, homes in Agarupur village and Rauzan, Chattogram, were burned and attacked.
  • Jashore: Three homes in Dhopaidi Palpara village were set on fire, and 22 shops, including Babul Saha’s warehouse, were vandalised in Narikel Bariya, Bagharpara.
  • Satkhira: Shops belonging to minorities in Kolaroa were looted, and the homes of Biswajit Sadhu and Dr. Subrata Ghosh were attacked and burned.
  • Shayestaganj Bazaar, Habiganj: Asit Baran Das’s shop was vandalised and looted. Minority homes in Lohagara, Narail, faced similar violence.
  • Bogra: Several minority shops in Tilpatti and Bargola were vandalised and looted, and Dr Gautam Kumar Mondal’s home in Sahapukur was also targeted.
  • Patuakhali: The Radha Govinda Temple in Kuakata was attacked, and Ananta Mukherjee’s house was vandalised and looted. Similar attacks occurred in Panchagarh’s Sadar.
  • Noakhali: The house of Sahadev Roy in Sonadia, Hatiya, was attacked and looted. Minority homes in Thakurgaon’s Sadar and Pirganj’s cremation temple were also targeted.
  • Jhenaidah: Ongoing violence affected ten minority families in Chaklapara municipality, with shops in Kotchandpur also attacked.
  • Hathuria, Bera Thana, Pabna: Multiple minority homes were attacked, vandalised, and looted.
  • Nilphamari: Minority homes in Bamunia Union, Domar Upazila, faced attacks, vandalism, and looting, including an attempted attack in Barakali Bari.
  • Shariatpur: The Dhanuka Temple in the Sadar area was vandalised, with nearby minority homes also affected.
  • Lalmonirhat: Amiya Prasad’s house in Panchagram Union was attacked, and in Mymensingh, Shyamal Pal’s home in Ward 32 of Shambhuganj was assaulted.
  • Netrokona: The Ramakrishna Mission and ISKCON temple in the Sadar area were attacked, along with nearby minority homes.
  • Faridganj Upazila, Chandpur: Haripada Das’s house was attacked and looted, and an attempted attack was reported at Ram Doctor’s house in Araihazar, Narayanganj.

Social Media Reveals Violence Against Hindus In Bangladesh

Beyond the documented attacks, numerous videos and images circulating on social media have shown assaults on Hindu homes, businesses, and temples in Bangladesh, framed as part of the broader political violence. The authenticity of some of these videos remains unverified.

Among several videos shared on X, including one showing a mob attacking the home of Hindus in Bamunia Palpara, Gabtali Upazila, Bogra District.

Another video depicts a Hindu girl in distress in the Mathbaria police station area, Pirojpur district, pleading for help in Bangla.

Additional footage shows the Shani Temple in Navgraha Bari, Chittagong, being set ablaze by rioters.

In Shibpur Upazila, Narsingdi District, a Hindu temple was attacked around 5 PM.

Yudhistir Govinda Das, an ISKCON India spokesperson, reported that an ISKCON centre in Meherpur (Khulna division) was burned, including the deities of Lord Jagannath, Baladev, and Subhadra Devi. Fortunately, three devotees residing there managed to escape.

A video from Visegrad 24 shows Islamists surrounding Hindu homes and threatening the occupants.

According to The Daily Star“, a Bangladeshi newspaper, attacks have occurred in 27 districts. It reports vandalism and looting of homes belonging to Pradip Chandra Roy and Muhin Roy in Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila. 12 Hindu houses were torched in Hatibandha upazila’s Purbo Sardubi village. Several Hindu homes were ransacked in Bandhavgarh’s Sadar upazila.

Other attacks targeted ten Hindu houses in Dinajpur, a temple in Railbazarhat, and three homes in Khansama upazila. In Khulna, Oikya Parishad leaders’ residences were attacked, while Aditri Adhikary’s house in Barishal’s Gouranadi was targeted. Similar incidents were reported in Bogura, Patuakhali, Sherpur, Narsingdi, Kishoreganj, Chattogram, Jashore, Satkhira, Habiganj, and Narail.

Amidst the severe political unrest in Bangladesh, Hindu and other minority communities are particularly vulnerable to these attacks, with Islamist mobs exploiting the situation. Meanwhile, some left-liberals and Islamist groups have either denied or justified these acts of violence.

(With inputs from News18)

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]]> Report On Persecution Of Hindus In Bangladesh In November 2022 https://thecommunemag.com/report-on-persecution-of-hindus-in-bangladesh-in-november-2022/ Sun, 18 Dec 2022 05:11:25 +0000 https://thecommunemag.com/?p=49910 Image Credits In The Article: sritiochetona.org Incidents of Hindu torture are happening continuously in Bangladesh. This picture has not yet changed much in November month. Throughout the month of November, there have been massive attacks, looting, vandalism, abduction, killing, rape attempt, and forced conversion to Islam in various parts of the country on the minority […]

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Image Credits In The Article: sritiochetona.org

Incidents of Hindu torture are happening continuously in Bangladesh. This picture has not yet changed much in November month. Throughout the month of November, there have been massive attacks, looting, vandalism, abduction, killing, rape attempt, and forced conversion to Islam in various parts of the country on the minority Hindus and indigenous communities. This report is an attempt to list the atrocities committed against minority Hindu and indigenous communities in Bangladesh during the month of November.

Hindu Persecutions in Bangladesh during November month.

Incident 1.

Dinajpur: Unknown miscreants behead Ma Kali- Shiva Vigraha

On Friday, November 4, unidentified miscreants took away the heads of Ma Kali and Shiva Vigraha from a puja mandap in Khamarpara village of Khansama Upazila of Dinajpur district, Bangladesh. A case was prepared against unidentified persons for allegedly hurting religious sentiments in this incident.

Incident 2.

Dhaka: Communal incitement promoted through HSC question paper

Controversy arose over the question paper of the HSC Bangla First Paper exam in Bangladesh. Allegations were made that the designed question paper hurt religious sensitivities. Prominent people said that this is a form of religious incitement. One of the questions in this paper was, “Nepal and Gopal are two brothers. They have been in dispute over land for a long time. Despite many arbitrations, no one could resolve their dispute. No one is willing to make concessions. Now the case regarding the distribution of the land is going on in court. The younger brother, Nepal, sells a part of the land of Bhit to a Muslim named Abdul to discipline the elder brother. Abdul built a house there and started living there permanently. He sacrifices a cow in front of Nepal’s house on Eid al-Adha. This incident broke the heart of Nepal. After a few days, he went to India with his family without telling anyone.”

Incident 3.

Comilla: Ma Kali Vigraha vandalized by unknown miscreants

There was a land dispute over the land of the “Darora Sri Sri Shamshan Kali” temple in Ward No. 1 of Darora Union No. 19, Muradnagar Police Station, Comilla District, Bangladesh. Just seven days ago, the temple committee had appealed to the Comilla Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police, and Muradnagar Upazila Nirbahi Officer to solve this problem. On the late night of November 5, 2022, unknown miscreants entered the temple and vandalized the vigraha of Maa Kali.

Incident 4.

Khulna: Hindu woman beheaded after being trapped in Love Jihad

A Hindu woman named Kavita Rani was brutally killed after being caught in the trap of love jihad. Her dismembered body was recovered from a rented house in the Sonadanga Thana area of ​​the Khulna metropolis in Bangladesh. RAB-6 confirmed the identity of Kavita Rani on Monday (November 7). The deceased Hindu woman Kavita Rani is the daughter of Kalipad Bachar of the Kuter Bill area of ​​Satkhira Ashashuni. RAB arrested the killer Abu Bakkar in this incident.

Incident 5.

Naogaon: Bangladeshi Judge calls Hindus ‘Malaun’

Bangladeshi Islamists often mock India whenever they get a chance. This year also, Bangladeshi Islamists started mocking India for the Cricket World Cup. A Bangladeshi youth named Ehteshamul Imran made a Facebook post on November 10 at around 5 p.m. mocking India using a happy emoji following India’s loss to England in the semi-finals of the T20 Cricket World Cup. He wrote, “India says Chere de Ma, Kede bachi.” Lose by 10 wickets!

This time, the controversy didn’t rise for Ehteshamul’s Facebook post. In the comments of that post, a Bangladeshi Judge commented, “I got a lot of peace.” It feels good when the “Malaun” loses. Anweshan News has verified the information and found evidence that the commenter’s ID belongs to this Judge. It should be mentioned that the “Malaun” word is used by Islamists to mark and abuse the Hindu community. The word is derived from the Arabic “ملعون”, meaning “accursed” or “deprived of God’s Mercy”, and in modern times, it is used as an ethnic slur by the Islamists in West Bengal and Bangladesh region for Hindus.

Incident 6.

Kushtia: Attack on Lalon Bhakts for allegedly playing music, 5 injured

An attack took place on the saints after they gathered at the house of a Lalon Bhakt in the Laubaria area of Daulatpur in the Kushtia district of Bangladesh. At least five people were injured in this attack. The injured are being treated at the Daulatpur Upazila Health Complex. The attack took place on November 5.

Incident 7.

Naogaon: Altaf gang destroyed 60 bighas paddy of indigenous people

In Patnitola Upazila of Naogaon district of Bangladesh, the miscreants of the local Altaf gang destroyed about 60 bighas of Aman paddy farmed by indigenous sharecroppers by spraying herbicides. Paddy worth about 30 lakh taka was destroyed in this incident. The affected indigenous farmers had become disoriented due to the loss of paddy land.

Incident 8.

Lalmonirhat: 200-year-old Shiva temple attacked, vandalized and looted

Unidentified miscreants attacked the Sarvajanin Shiva Mandir in the Teesta Bazar area of Gokunda Union of Lalmonirhat Sadar Upazila on 18th November. The miscreants vandalized the Shiva Linga and looted money from the donation box of the temple. Expressing their anger, the local Sanatani people demanded the arrest of the culprits.

The local Hindus said that the temple is about 200 years old. The next morning, the devotees found that the three Shiva Lingas and Trishuls of the temple had been vandalized, and the money from the donation box had been looted by unidentified miscreants. After that, when the incident became known, the Sanatani people from around came and gathered at the temple.

Incident 9.

Khulna: Hindu house attacked, vandalized and looted in movie-style

On Wednesday, November 16, a Hindu family was ambushed in filmy style in Dumuria, Khulna, and their homestead, kitchen, cowshed, paddy shed, and all their furniture were vandalized and looted. This incident happened like the 1971 Pakistani atrocities at the house of Bikash Nandi in Sikdarpara village of Gutudia Union of the Upazila at around 11 a.m. on Wednesday. Aranghata police station had arrested the mastermind of this incident, Tuku, from the Deyana area.

Incident 10.

Tangail: Hindu houses and shrines vandalized by AL leader

10 members of a minority Hindu family were injured in an attack by a Jubo League leader over a land dispute in Bhuyapur, Tangail district, Bangladesh. A few Vigrahas in their house were vandalized. Four of the injured Hindus were treated at Bhuyapur Upazila Health Complex. The attack took place on the house of Subhash Ghosh and Pradeep Ghosh of Ghoshpara in the Koshtapara area of the Upazila on Friday morning (18th November). Accused Jubo League leader Khorshed Alam is the former president of Gobindasi Union Jubo League, which is the political youth wing of the ruling party Awami League in Bangladesh.

Incident 11.

Jhenaidah: AL leader caught red-handed while attempting to rape Hindu woman

Swecchasebak League leader Mizanur Rahman was caught by the locals while forcibly trying to rape a Hindu woman of the minority community in Kaliganj of the Jhenaidah district of Bangladesh. At that time, local Hindus caught him naked and tied him to a tree. After receiving the information, the police went to the spot, rescued him, and took him to the police station.

The incident took place at Daspara in Alaipur village of the Upazila around 11:30 p.m. on Sunday (November 27). In this incident, the victim, a Hindu woman, filed a case at the Kaliganj police station that night. The police arrested Mizanur Rahman in that case. The accused, Mizanur Rahman, is the son of Moksed Ali of Alaipur village in the Upazila and the former president of No. 1 Sundarpur-Durgapur Union Swecchasebak League.

Incident 12.

Sunamganj: Hindu family ostracized by panchayat for not selling land

Nine Hindu families were evicted for not following the decision of the Panchayat of Jamalganj in the Sunamganj district of Bangladesh. These Hindu families are left homeless due to persecution by the local panchayat. The victimized Hindu families approached the law, but the police did not help. As a result, the victim, Bharat Chandra Talukdar, and his relatives are currently homeless. It was alleged that the family of Bharat Chandra Talukdar had been ostracised for not selling the land to the local panchayat.

The family of the victim, Bharat Chandra Talukdar, alleged that the local panchayat was repeatedly pressuring their family to sell the land. The victim Bharat’a family did not want to sell their family land to the panchayat. As a result, the local panchayat kept them in solitary confinement at the society.

Incident 13.

Mymensingh: Former Chairman grabbing Hindu lands using antisocials

Former Chairman of Bhaluka Upazila Parishad Golam Mostafa and his family are at the top of the land grabbing of minority Hindus in Bhaluka of Mymensingh district in Bangladesh.

Victimized local minority Hindus alleged that the Mustafa family has become addicted to taking the land of the minority Hindus in various ways. Also, there are many allegations against former Upazila chairman Golam Mostafa of embezzling lakhs of takas from various poor Hindu families. Golam Mostafa is the son-in-law of the daughter of Sirajuddin Khan alias Suruj Khan, a registered Razakar of Bhaluka Upazila.

Golam Mustafa

Incident 14.

Savar: Hindu minor girl abducted by Love Jihadi, rescued later by Hindu activists

A Hindu minor girl was rescued after being abducted by Love Jihadists. It was known that on November 27, the victim Hindu minor was abducted by local Love Jihadist Mohammad Jahangir Rahman alias Ullas. The abducted girl (15) was finally rescued with the help of Savar police and several local Hindu activists. From the copy of the FIR filed by Mrs. Karmakar, it was known that for quite some time local Love Jihadist Mohammad Jahangir Rahman was giving various kinds of nasty proposals to her daughter. Her daughter was abducted on her way to Sri Sri Jagat Bandhu Mandir on the 27th as she did not agree to Mohammad Jahangir’s nasty proposal.

Incident 15.

Dhaka: Hindu family emigrates to escape from Islamist attacks

Violence against Hindus in Bangladesh is not new. However, the number of Islamist hate attacks on the Hindu community has increased recently in Bangladesh. The family of Pintu Lal Das, a minority Hindu, was forced to leave their residential address in the face of direct and indirect threats and attacks for the past 7 years. It is believed that they were forced to take refuge in India. The family of Pintu Lal Das had reportedly been subjected to hate attacks by Islamists several times.

Incident 16.

Manikganj: 200-year-old Hindu temple vandalized

A 200-year-old Hindu temple in central Bangladesh’s Chandair area of ​​Garhpara Union in Manikganj District had been vandalized by unknown miscreants. According to a report dated 20th November from the local police station’s officer-in-charge Abdur Rouf, the information was confirmed. The report claims that Maa Kali & Padma vigrahas from the temple were discovered in desecrated condition alongside the road.

(This article was originally published in sritiochetana.org and has been republished here with permission.)

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