In the wake of the Sheikh Hasina-led government’s fall, violence has surged across Bangladesh, particularly targeting Hindu homes and places of worship. The unrest has resulted in widespread damage and attacks on Hindu communities in several districts.
On Monday, the home of Rahul Ananda, the frontman of the band Joler Gaan, in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi was set on fire. “As soon as they broke down the gate, they started ravaging the house, taking everything from furniture and mirrors to valuables. Then they burned the whole house along with Rahul da’s musical instruments,” a close family source told The Daily Star. The home, which was nearly 140 years old, was completely destroyed. Fortunately, Rahul and his family managed to escape unharmed.
That same day, the Dhanuka Manasa Bari temple in Shariatpur was attacked by an angry mob, which destroyed the idols of Radha-Krishna and demolished the temple. Gobindo Chakrabarty, the temple committee’s general secretary, said, “After attacking the temple, they surrounded our homes and were going to attack us. The army intervened and saved us.”
In Dinajpur, the Dinajpur Centre Cremation Yard was vandalized, and five temples, including a Kali temple, in Parbatipur upazila were also targeted. In Chirirbandar upazila, Hindu homes and a designated place for Harisobha were vandalized. “The police were informed, but they did not take any action,” said a local resident.
Other reported incidents include the attack on Dilip Kundu’s home and shops in Birampur upazila, vandalism and arson in Bochaganj upazila, and the destruction of a temple and homes in Patuakhali’s Kuakata. Ananta Mukherji’s home and a nearby Radha-Krishna temple were set on fire, and the home of Kolapara municipal Mayor Bipul Haldar was also targeted.
In Barishal, a clothing store owned by Bhola Saha was looted, and the house of Jibon Krishna Piplai was set ablaze. In Bogura, Tapan Kumar Chakraborty reported that Hindu businesses and homes were attacked, with haystacks in Palpara village being set on fire.
The violence has been reported across at least 27 districts since the government’s collapse.
Despite the violence, young Muslim groups stepped in to protect Hindu homes and shrines from further attacks, according to a BBC report.
Ain o Salish Kendra, a Bangladeshi human rights group, reported over 3,600 attacks on Hindus between January 2013 and September 2021, highlighting ongoing religious tensions.
