Bloodshed in Bangladesh: Hindus Targeted in Brutal Mob Attacks, Reveals Chilling UN Report.

Hindus Under Siege: Shocking UN Body’s Report Uncovers Wave of Violent Mob Attacks in ‘Islamic’ Bangladesh.

Upendra Bharti | HENB | New Delhi | Feb 15, 2025:: A recent United Nations report has shed light on the devastating violence that gripped Bangladesh in mid-2024. The report reveals that Hindus, who make up approximately eight percent of Bangladesh’s 17 crore population, were among the minority communities subjected to brutal mob attacks. These attacks involved the burning of homes and places of worship, leaving countless individuals traumatized and displaced.

The violence erupted in the aftermath of student protests over job quotas, which ultimately led to the resignation and departure of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. As her government lost control, mobs in Dhaka and other areas, including Chittagong, engaged in retaliatory killings and revenge violence targeting officials from Hasina’s Awami League, as well as police and perceived supporters. Hindus, often stereotypically associated with the Awami League, were caught in the crossfire.

The UN report condemns the authorities’ inadequate response to the violence, stating that they were in disarray and unable to protect the human rights of the victims. The report’s findings are based on an independent and impartial fact-finding mission conducted by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), which was invited by the current Bangladeshi administration.

The Bangladesh government initially downplayed the attacks, insisting that they were isolated incidents unrelated to the victims’ faith. However, the Yunus administration later acknowledged 88 cases of communal violence, mostly against Hindus, and arrested 70 individuals in connection with the attacks. The UN report’s disturbing conclusion suggests that the former government and its security apparatus may have systematically engaged in serious human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, and torture.

The situation in Bangladesh is indeed alarming, with minority Hindus facing increased violence and persecution. Since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government on August 5 last year, there has been a surge in attacks on Hindus, with over 2,200 incidents reported in 2024 alone.

The interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, has been criticized for its inaction and denial of the severity of the situation. The government’s promotion of Islamist parties and factions has raised concerns about the potential rise of Islamic radicalism in Bangladesh.

The proposal to eliminate the principles of secularism, socialism, and nationalism from the Bangladesh Constitution has further exacerbated tensions. This move is seen as a step towards establishing a Sharia-based state, which would have severe implications for the country’s minority communities .

The international community has expressed concern over the situation, with the European Union, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch urging the Bangladesh government to take immediate action to protect the rights of minority communities.

India, in particular, has been vocal about its concerns, with Prime Minister Modi urging the Bangladesh government to ensure the safety and protection of Hindus and other minority communities.

The OHCHR report on the plight of Bangladeshi Hindus has received a mixed reaction from different quarters. While many human rights bodies in India and Bangladesh have welcomed the report, some functionaries in the Bangladesh interim government, led by Prof Yunus, have dismissed it as an exaggeration.

According to the report, there were 2,200 cases of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh in 2024, a significant spike from the previous years. The Indian government has taken serious note of these incidents and has urged the Bangladesh government to take necessary measures to ensure the safety and well-being of Hindus and other minorities.

The issue has also been raised by the Indian government with Pakistan, where 112 cases of violence against Hindus were reported in 2024. The Indian government has emphasized the need for both countries to take steps to prevent religious intolerance and sectarian violence.
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_Inputs from Agencies.