Hindu leaders: 278 attacks, threats across 48 districts

The Bangladesh National Hindu Grand Alliance has alleged that following the fall of the Awami League government in the student-led movement, the Hindu community has faced attacks and threats in 278 locations across 48 districts.

The alliance’s spokesperson and executive secretary Palash Kanti Dey made the allegations during a press conference held at the National Press Club in Dhaka on Tuesday.

“The incidents of vandalism, looting, arson, land grabbing, and threats to leave the country have been repeatedly inflicted on the Hindu community due to the shifting political landscape. This is not just an attack on individuals but an assault on the Hindu religion,” said Palash Kanti Dey.

“As of Monday, there have been attacks and threats against the Hindu community in 278 locations across 48 districts. We have conveyed our concerns to Home Affairs Advisor Brigadier General (retd) M Sakhawat Hussain who has assured us that these issues will be raised at the next cabinet meeting,” he added.

Palash Kanti Dey also emphasized that the alliance had long expressed its demands to various political parties over the past 24 years, but they had remained unmet.

“We now hope that the interim government will address our longstanding demands. Additionally, we support the nationwide movement led by our students,” he added.

During the press conference, the alliance’s President Prabhas Chandra Roy lamented the recurring violence against the Hindu community during times of political change.

“Whenever there is a change in government, Hindus are the first to be attacked. Although there were fewer incidents in the past, they have increased recently. We want to live in this country with security. We were born here, and we have rights in this country,” he said.

The Hindu Grand Alliance on Monday presented seven demands to the government, including a judicial inquiry into recent attacks on Hindu communities, the creation of a minority protection act and commission, the restoration of temples and homes at public expense, speedy trials and public investigation reports for those convicted, the release of minority abuse reports from 2000 to the present, a three-day holiday during Durga Puja, and the establishment of a minority ministry.