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The Hindu minority in Bangladesh continues to face recurring violence, persecution, and insecurity, reflecting deep-rooted social and political challenges. Recent attacks, forced migration, and protests across India underscore the severity of the crisis. Veteran journalist Manoj Tibrewal Aakash discussed these developments in detail on his special program.
New Delhi: The recurring incidents of violence, persecution, and insecurity faced by Hindu minorities in Bangladesh are no longer isolated events limited to specific regions or periods. Instead, they point to a deep and complex crisis with far-reaching consequences for Bangladesh’s internal stability, its social fabric, and India-Bangladesh relations. The repeated targeting of the Hindu community has raised serious concerns across South Asia and strongly influenced public sentiment in India.
Senior journalist Manoj Tibrewal Aakash explained in his show The MTA Speaks that protests by Hindu organizations and social groups outside the Bangladesh High Commission and consulates in Delhi, Kolkata, Agartala, and several other cities across India indicate that this issue is no longer just an internal matter for Bangladesh. It is now affecting India’s politics, diplomacy, and strategic considerations. People in India are raising questions about the safety of Hindu minorities in the neighboring country, why this community is repeatedly targeted by violence, and whether the Bangladeshi government is capable of protecting its citizens.
First, it is essential to understand the social and political landscape of Bangladesh. The Hindu population in the country is currently estimated to be between seven and eight percent. This figure was significantly higher at the time of independence, but decades of migration, communal riots, discrimination, and a persistent sense of insecurity have led to a steady decline. Socially and economically, the Hindu community has historically remained vulnerable. Issues such as land disputes, forced occupation, property grabbing, and administrative apathy have long plagued rural areas. Whenever political instability intensifies, electoral tensions rise, or power struggles deepen, the minority community often becomes an easy target.
The background of the recent incidents is similar. Bangladesh has long been grappling with political polarization, power struggles, and administrative weakness. The shifts in the balance of power after 2024, the growing confrontation between the opposition and the government, and the protests taking to the streets have weakened law and order. In such an environment, extremist and anarchic elements have been given a free hand. Minor incidents have been blown out of proportion to incite violence. In some places, accusations of religious blasphemy were leveled, in others, rumors spread on social media fueled the fire, and in still others, political vendetta targeted Hindu settlements.
Among the incidents that have attracted the most attention recently is the brutal murder of a young Hindu man, Dipu Chandra Das, in the Bhalka area of Mymensingh district. He was attacked and killed by a mob after being accused of blasphemy. This was not an isolated incident. Earlier, there had been reports from various areas of attacks on Hindu homes, burning of shops, vandalism of temples, and intimidation of women. In many cases, people were forced to leave their homes to save their lives. This forced migration is a dangerous sign for the social fabric of Bangladesh.
These incidents have also attracted the attention of the international community. The United Nations and several human rights organizations have raised concerns about the safety of minorities in Bangladesh. The international media is also raising the issue of why Bangladesh, despite being a democratic and constitutional country, is unable to provide security to its minorities. Although the Bangladeshi government has repeatedly claimed that the situation is under control and that some incidents are being exaggerated, the ground reality paints a different picture.
In India, outrage over this issue is steadily growing. There have been continuous protests outside the Bangladeshi embassy in the capital, Delhi. Dynamite News covered these protests on the ground, where immense anger was witnessed among Hindu organizations. The protesters were shouting slogans against the Bangladeshi government and demanding security for Hindus. Several times, the situation became so tense that the police had to use force to control the protesters, and clashes ensued. All this shows that this issue has become not only an emotional one in India but also a source of political pressure.
Relations between India and Bangladesh have already been strained for some time. Since August 5th, tensions between the two countries have increased over several issues. According to some Bangladeshi newspapers, this tension deepened after the murder of Sharif Usman Hadi, a leader of the Inqilab Manch, and the killing of a Hindu youth. Subsequently, steps taken by Bangladesh, such as the temporary suspension of visa and consular services, further strained relations. These decisions are not merely diplomatic; they also affect ordinary people, businesspeople, students, and patients.
Looking at history, it becomes clear that violence against Hindus in Bangladesh is nothing new. Whether it was the riots of 1964, the massacres during the 1971 Liberation War, or the violence that erupted periodically in the decades that followed—the Hindu community has paid a heavy price in every major political crisis. Since independence, millions of Hindus have left Bangladesh for India. This migration is not just a demographic statistic, but a story of the disintegration of a society. Even today, the same history seems to be repeating itself in a new form.
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On the question of who is to blame, India and Bangladesh have completely different perspectives. India and Hindu organizations here allege that the Bangladeshi government has failed to ensure the safety of minorities. In many cases, the silence and negligence of the local administration fueled the violence. The police and administration failed to intervene in a timely manner, complaints went unaddressed, and the perpetrators roamed freely. On the other hand, the Bangladeshi government claims that some incidents are being exaggerated for political purposes and that there is an attempt to tarnish the country's image. However, the continuous stream of incidents and the testimonies of the victims indicate that the problem is not merely one of propaganda, but a stark reality on the ground.
The impact of this entire sequence of events is not limited to the humanitarian or social spheres, but also extends to the strategic and economic levels. India and Bangladesh share partnerships on several crucial issues such as trade, energy cooperation, border management, and regional security. If mistrust grows in the relationship, it will affect all these areas. For India, Bangladesh is extremely important for the stability of its eastern border and the security of its northeastern states. Similarly, for Bangladesh, India is one of its largest trading partners, and India's support on regional platforms has also been crucial.
The future remains uncertain. If the Bangladeshi government strictly enforces law and order, takes impartial action against the culprits, and implements concrete measures to restore confidence among minorities, the situation may gradually improve. International pressure and global scrutiny can also play a role in this direction. However, if political instability, extremism, and administrative weakness persist, the possibility of this crisis deepening cannot be ruled out.
In conclusion, the rising atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh go beyond being a mere human rights concern. They represent a significant challenge to South Asia’s stability, regional balance, and India-Bangladesh relations. In the coming days, it will be critical to observe whether both nations can move beyond emotional reactions and mutual blame, and address this crisis through constructive dialogue, sensitivity, and decisive diplomatic measures.
