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Temples Burnt, Homes Razed, Hindus Persecuted: Journalist Sahar Zand Exposes Violent Attacks On Hindus In Bangladesh Under Islamist Yunus Regime

January 13, 2025
The Commune

In a startling revelation, British-Iranian journalist Sahar Zand has shed light on the ongoing struggles faced by Bangladesh’s Hindu community, which has been subjected to violent attacks from Muslim mobs in the wake of Sheikh Hasina’s ousting as Prime Minister. The 26-minute radio documentary, released on 10 January 2025, challenges the government’s efforts to downplay the escalating violence against Hindus.

Zand worked alongside local Hindu activists Bonamali and Sukanto for the documentary, visiting affected areas such as a Hindu-majority village in Northern Bangladesh. There, she witnessed firsthand the aftermath of an arson attack that destroyed a Hindu family’s storehouse. While the family escaped injury, the destruction left the farmer devastated, having lost over a year’s worth of income. The barn was left charred with collapsed roofs, scorched straw, and crops. Zand described the scene as gut-wrenching, noting the profound impact on the farmer, who remained too terrified to speak on the record.

Bonamali further explained that such attacks on the Hindu community occur regularly, with as many as 8-9 cases reported every week in Northern Bangladesh alone. These include physical assaults, extortion, rape, the destruction of homes and temples, and even murders. As a result, many Hindus are considering fleeing the country, packing their belongings and preparing to cross the border into India.

Sukanto shared a heartbreaking story of Jayanta, a 14-year-old Hindu boy who was killed by Bangladesh Border Guard forces while attempting to escape to India. Jayanta had been aware of the attacks on Hindus through social media and, after saying goodbye to his family, never returned. His mother later learned of his tragic death at the border.

Zand also explored the rise in Islamist extremism in Bangladesh, which has contributed to increased violence against minorities. She interviewed Mahmudul Hasan Gunovi, a radical Islamic cleric with ties to the extremist group Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh, whose inflammatory speeches have reportedly fueled anti-Hindu sentiments. Gunovi dismissed accusations of inciting violence against Hindus, instead blaming Hindu extremists for stirring up conflict. During the interview, he justified the killing of a Hindu man by a mob as “justice” for allegedly insulting the Prophet Muhammad.

The documentary also highlighted attacks on Hindu temples and crematoriums, with extremist mobs vandalizing sacred sites and converting them into mosques. Zand was confronted by a Muslim mob during her investigation and detailed the terrifying experience of being trapped in her car while the crowd attacked her local producer and attempted to set her vehicle on fire.

In addition to physical violence, Hindu activists such as Bonamali and Sukanto have expressed their determination to stay and fight for their community despite the dangers. Zand’s investigation underscores the ongoing suffering of Hindus in Bangladesh, who face daily persecution, with religious sites, temples, and even family homes being destroyed or repurposed for extremist purposes.

Since the fall of Dhaka on 5 August 2024, reports of violent attacks against Hindus have surged, with numerous temples, shops, and homes destroyed. The situation has also led to the forced resignations of Hindu teachers and officials and the widespread coercion of Hindus to join the Islamist group Jamaat-e-Islami. There have been multiple instances of idol vandalism and blasphemy charges, with many Hindus facing systemic persecution under the interim government of Muhammad Yunus.

Zand’s documentary and reporting bring attention to the tragic and ongoing plight of the Hindu community in Bangladesh, calling for greater international awareness of the violence and discrimination they continue to endure.

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 10 minority families in Chaklapara municipality, with shops in Kotchandpur also attacked.
  • Hathuria, Bera Thana, Pabna: Multiple minority homes were attacked, vandalized, 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 vandalized, 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 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 center 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. The report includes incidents such as the vandalism and looting of homes belonging to Pradip Chandra Roy and Muhin Roy in Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila, the burning of 12 Hindu houses in Hatibandha upazila’s Purbo Sardubi village, and the ransacking of several Hindu homes in Bandhavgarh’s Sadar upazila. Other attacks include 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 of looting, vandalism, and arson have been reported in Bogura, Patuakhali, Sherpur, Narsingdi, Kishoreganj, Chattogram, Jashore, Satkhira, Habiganj, and Narail.

(With inputs From OpIndia)

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