What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
Hindu minorities are facing horrific persecution in Muslim-majority Bangladesh. In the report published recently by Bangladesh Hindu, Buddhist, Christian Oikya Parishad, cases of rape and gang-rape, land-grabbing, conversion, attack on Hindu temples, Murti(idol) vandalism, arrest of Hindu minorities on false blasphemy charges are mentioned. It is also noted that law enforcement agencies have failed to ensure the arrest and punishment of the Islamists.
On the 8th of July, in a press conference at the National Press Club, Dhaka, Rana Dasgupta presented a detailed report on the persecution of the minority communities in Bangladesh. The report is from July 2023 to June 2024.
In the report, only a few cases of attacks on the Buddhist community are mentioned. Most cases relate to the most significant minority community in Bangladesh.
Land Grabbing:
In the report, it is mentioned that 70% of cases of attacks are directly or indirectly related to land. To grab the land of Hindu minorities or the land of Hindu temples, Islamists attack Hindu minorities. To terrorise the Hindu community, to force them to flee from their ancestral homes, Islamists attack. In many cases, due to constant torture, many Hindu families are forced to sell their lands at low prices to the Islamists. And Islamists do all these with political backing.
In the report, it is mentioned that 47 cases of eviction happened. 45 Hindu families were threatened to leave or sell their homes.
Attack on Hindu Temples:
Attacks on the Hindu temples never stop in Bangladesh. During the last year, 94 incidents of attacks on Hindu temples happened. Among these incidents, temples were vandalised, looted and set ablaze.
Besides, many incidents of the Murti vandalism happened. Islamists vandalised 40 Murtis(idols) throughout the Bangladesh.
Abduction, Rape and Conversion of Hindu Girls:
Hindu girls are not safe in Muslim-majority Bangladesh. Hindu girls are regularly abducted and converted. During July 2023- June, 2024 period, 12 Hindu girls were abducted and forcefully converted.
25 Hindu girls were abducted, raped and gang-raped. Among them, many were minor.
Murder and Attempt to Murder:
In the last twelve months, 45 Hindus were murdered in Bangladesh.
Besides, Islamists tried to murder 10 Hindus and threatened 36 Hindus to murder.
Number of Injuries:
In the last twelve months, 479 Hindus were injured in the whole of Bangladesh in different attacks.
Extortion from Hindu Businessmen:
Islamists regularly target wealthy Hindu businessmen to extort money. 11 cases of extortion are mentioned in the report.
Arrest on blasphemy charges:
In the report, it is mentioned that the Police and other law enforcement agencies regularly arrest Hindu minorities on imaginary blasphemy charges. A total of 8 Hindus were arrested on ‘imaginary’ blasphemy charges.
Important Point:
A serious allegation was made against the Police and other law enforcement agencies in the report. Whenever an Islamist was arrested on the charges of temple vandalism or Murti vandalism, the Police and law enforcement agencies try to prove the person as mentally unstable. Due to the influence and pressure of the Islamist elements and political leaders, the perpetrators easily get away.
Image Details: A Hindu woman is crying in front of her demolished house and temple in Dhaka. Her house was demolished by the Dhaka South City Municipal Corporation. Time: June, 2024)
