Persecution of the Hindu Minority in Bangladesh

 

In Bangladesh, harassment and persecution of the Hindu minority by extremist-minded members of the Muslim majority is a common and ongoing issue.

 

However, the country's legal system, police, and media often present an image of peace and communal harmony to the outside world. But when we open social media platforms like Facebook, we frequently come across videos and posts showing the suffering and abuse of the Hindu community in Bangladesh.

 

 

Although there have been many attacks on Hindu temples and idols by extremists in the past, a recent incident has particularly shocked many people. This time, under police protection, officials from Bangladesh Railway used a bulldozer to destroy a temple and its idols. This incident took place last Thursday in Khilkhet, Dhaka, during an operation claimed to be for the removal of illegal structures.

 

The video of the temple demolition quickly went viral on social media on Thursday. In the footage, members of the police and railway police can be seen helping with the demolition using an excavator. Inside the temple, there were idols of different Hindu gods and goddesses.

 

It is reported that on the night of June 24, a group identifying themselves as “local residents”, but who were actually religious extremists, protested and demanded the removal of the temple. The next day, they issued an ultimatum to remove it by noon.

 

On June 26, a large number of law enforcement officials, along with railway officers, demolished the temple with a bulldozer. They also removed several other illegal structures near the railway line.

 

 

 

Sajib Sarkar, the joint general secretary of the temple committee, said that the temple was destroyed by bulldozer with the help of police, RAB, and even army personnel. He claimed that they had received written permission from the railway authorities last year to set up a temporary structure (mandap) for worship, although they didn’t have authorisation to build a permanent temple.

 

Muhammad Fauzul Kabir Khan, an advisor at the Ministry of Railways, stated that permission was given on the condition that the temporary structure would be removed after the religious event. He claimed that despite being told repeatedly, the organisers did not remove the structure.

 

He also said, “A group of extremists attacked, broke the wall, and threatened us, saying they would remove the temple the next day. Then, without any prior notice, they destroyed the temple and the idols. This is completely unfair. There are many mosques and madrasas on government land, but nothing happens to them,” he added.

 

This incident sparked mixed reactions online. Many netizens expressed anger and disappointment, while some extremists were seen celebrating the demolition with hateful comments like "Alhamdulillah". Thankfully, many Muslim netizens also condemned the act, saying that destroying a place of worship without notice goes against the spirit of religious harmony and is being used as a tool to divert attention from ongoing national issues.

 

On August 5 last year, the government of Sheikh Hasina, led by the Awami League and in power for three consecutive terms, fell following student protests. After the fall of the government, attacks on the Hindu minority increased. Opposition supporters celebrated their victory by burning down temples, idols, and Hindu homes. Attacks also targeted members of the former ruling party, but the level of violence against Hindus was significantly higher.