Bangladesh’s Hindu community is facing a systematic campaign of persecution since the interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, took power on August 5th, following the removal of Sheikh Hasina’s administration, Indian media has claimed.

While large-scale, direct violence against Hindus may have subsided, a more insidious and pervasive campaign of discrimination and intimidation is underway, targeting their employment, social standing, and religious freedom. This campaign is fueled by emboldened fundamentalist groups who appear to operate with a degree of impunity under the current political climate.

The most prominent aspect of this campaign is the targeted removal of Hindus from government employment. This isn’t limited to isolated incidents; it appears to be a coordinated effort to purge Hindus from positions of influence and authority. The focus is particularly acute in educational institutions, where professors and teachers are being forced to resign under pressure, often facing threats of violence or other forms of intimidation. The case of Rontu Das, an assistant professor of history at Chittagong University, is illustrative. Forced to resign after receiving death threats, his resignation letter detailing the discrimination he faced went viral on social media, highlighting the widespread nature of the problem.

This extends beyond academia. The dismissal of 252 police sub-inspectors, 91 of whom were Hindu, on charges of indiscipline and irregularities, is highly suspicious, especially given that their appointments occurred during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure. This suggests a retroactive targeting of individuals based on their religious affiliation. Further evidence of this systematic targeting is the cancellation of the October 20th pass-out parade for over 60 ASP-ranked officers at the Sharda Police Academy, delaying their placement in government roles and leaving many, including Hindu trainees like Asit, feeling deeply betrayed and unjustly treated. Asit’s statement, expressing his despair at the blatant discrimination, underscores the profound impact of these actions on individuals and the community as a whole.

Beyond employment, a broader propaganda campaign is being waged, echoing the “love jihad” narrative in India. Extremist groups are disseminating a “love trap” narrative, falsely accusing Hindu men of enticing and converting Muslim women. Posters promoting this false narrative have appeared in multiple areas, stoking fear and division within the community. This is further compounded by reports of vandalism targeting Hindu idols during Durga Puja, despite police deployment to maintain order. The apparent inability or unwillingness of authorities to effectively protect Hindu religious sites and symbols from these attacks further emboldens the perpetrators.

Accordint to Indian media, the Hindu community is responding with organized protests across Bangladesh, demanding justice and an end to the persecution. A recent demonstration in Chittagong, organized by the Sanatan Jagran Manch, saw thousands gather to voice their concerns and present an eight-point agenda to the government. This agenda includes demands for a Minority Protection Act, restitution of confiscated assets, the creation of a Ministry of Minority Affairs, expedited trials for crimes against minorities, official holidays for Hindu festivals, enhanced support for the Hindu Religious Welfare Trust, the construction of worship halls in educational institutions, and the modernization of Sanskrit and Pali education.

India has repeatedly called upon the interim government to prioritize the safety and well-being of its Hindu population in Bangladesh, urging them to bring those responsible for the attacks and discrimination to justice. However, the continued escalation of these attacks and the apparent lack of effective government response paint a grim picture of the deteriorating situation for Hindus in Bangladesh.