As criticism intensifies against the new regime in Dhaka over escalating attacks on minorities following a recent regime change, the predicament of the 19 minority MPs from Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League is a microcosm of the larger crisis.
Since the dissolution of Parliament, three prominent minority leaders—Ramesh Chandra Sen, Narayan Chandra, and Sadhan Chandra Majumdar—have been imprisoned. Many of the remaining minority MPs are either in hiding within the country or have fled abroad, highlighting the perilous situation they face.
“The plight of the 19 minority MPs of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League is a reflection of the wider political and religious turmoil in Bangladesh.
Targeted Persecution
Awami League insiders reveal that between August 5 and August 20, 2024, approximately 2,000 cases of arson, looting, and attacks targeted minority communities, including Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians. According to party officials, scattered assaults persist daily, exacerbating fears among the minority population.
One of the affected leaders, Pankaj Nath, a three-time MP from Barishal who contested the 2024 elections as an independent, provided a harrowing account of the threats he faces. “Almost all minority MPs have witnessed attacks on their properties and had their bank accounts frozen,” Nath shared. His own residence in Dhaka was targeted, forcing him into hiding. His family has also been uprooted, relocating frequently within Bangladesh for safety.
Personal tragedy added to Nath’s struggles when he could not attend his mother’s last rites after her passing on December 28. Reflecting on the persecution, he accused the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus of enabling the attacks:
“It is evident that there is a deliberate attempt to rewrite history and exact revenge for the events of 1971. The caretaker government, under Muhammad Yunus, is complicit in fostering these attacks on minorities. In addition to the international community, we now look to India to intervene, halt these atrocities, and restore the fundamental rights of the minorities.”
Nath believes that the anti-Awami League interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, does not want Sheikh Hasina to return and engage in politics for the welfare of the people.
India Expresses Concern
India voiced concern over the situation during a high-level diplomatic visit to Dhaka in December. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with his Bangladeshi counterpart to emphasize the safety and welfare of minority communities. The discussions also addressed “regrettable incidents” involving cultural, religious, and diplomatic properties.
However, the Bangladeshi Foreign Secretary dismissed these concerns, characterizing them as “propaganda… false and misleading facts,” and asserted that other nations should refrain from interfering in Bangladesh’s “internal matter.”
A Frightened Minority
For Bangladesh’s minorities, the current environment is fraught with insecurity. Hindus, comprising about 8% of the nation’s 170 million people, form the largest minority group. According to the 2022 census, Muslims constitute 91.04% of the population, while Hindus, Buddhists (0.61%), Christians (0.30%), and other minorities (0.12%) make up the remainder.
As attacks persist, the minority communities find themselves navigating a precarious existence, caught in the crossfire of political vengeance and societal upheaval. The international community continues to watch with growing concern, while calls for justice and protection mount within and beyond Bangladesh’s borders.
Disclaimer: Minority Watch has rewritten this story, originally published by the Indian Express. Please click the SOURCE LINK for proper attribution.