Attacked with sharp weapons, houses destroyed, shops looted: Hindus flee homes as atrocities on minorities continue in Bangladesh
Bangladesh 
6 January, 2024
Case Summary
Following the federal elections on January 7, 2023, the minority Hindu community in Bangladesh has faced widespread violence and intimidation. Reports from 'The Daily Ittefaq' highlighted arson attacks and forced displacement across multiple regions, including Faridpur, Sirajganj, and Chittagong. On election day, two Hindus, Piplu Saha and Ranjan Saha, were brutally attacked in Comilla. In Faridpur-3, Awami League supporters attacked homes of Hindu supporters of independent candidate AK Azad. In Majhipara, 15 people were injured in post-poll violence. Awami League supporters attacked Suresh Chowdhury and Pankaj Chand in Chittagong, vandalizing the shop of Bhogirath Chandra Roy and his son. The next day, Rajesh Roy was attacked with sharp weapons en route to the market, suffering serious injuries. Freedom fighter Keshab Lal Mandal reported attacks on Hindu properties and businesses on election night, allegedly orchestrated by MP Habibun Nahar. In Gaibandha-5, Islamists attacked Hindu houses, stealing 8 goats from Shibu Roy. Attacks and looting continued in Debhatta and Sirajganj. The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council reported minorities being intimidated in Lalmonirhat and Hindus being attacked in Thakurgaon-1 by BNP-Jamaat workers. Many Hindus have since fled their homes.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case has been added to the hate tracker under the prime category- Attack not resulting in death. Further, according to case details, it has been placed within the sub-category- Attacked to induce migration from non-Hindu dominated area. There have been cases where the Hindus living in an area, often with a majority dwelling belonging to non-Hindus or those harbouring animosity towards the Hindu faith, the Hindu residents experience threats and violence. The violence is employed with the aim of making the Hindus leave the area and relocate, so the area could be turned into an exclusive ghetto for adherents of the non-Hindu faith or those who harbor animosity towards the Hindu faith. In several cases, the aim of exodus is explicit. However, in several cases, the demand for exodus of Hindu residents is not explicit, however, violence by non-Hindu residents leaves the Hindu residents no option but to leave the area, thereby, turning the area into an exclusive ghetto of non-Hindu residents. In such cases, there are instances violence against the Hindu residents explicitly. For example, in the Hauz Qazi case of 2019, the Muslim residents claimed that mob violence against the Hindu residents had been triggered by a parking dispute. However, the violence did turn religious with a temple being desecrated and was directed specifically against the Hindu residents. The Hindu residents of the area were clear that the violence was religiously motivated and one of the motives was to affect an exodus of the Hindu residents. In such cases, even though the perpetrators have not explicitly expressed the aim of affecting exodus, the given circumstances and violence and precedent point to the intention of exodus and therefore would be categorized under this sub-category. Such crimes are religiously motivated and therefore are hate crimes. Following the federal elections on January 7, 2023, in Bangladesh, the minority Hindu community has faced severe violence, intimidation, and forced displacement, highlighting a clear case of religious hate. Reports from The Daily Ittefaq documented arson attacks and assaults across regions like Faridpur, Sirajganj, and Chittagong, primarily targeting Hindu supporters of opposition candidates. The violence intensified on and after election day, with brutal assaults on Hindus, leaving many severely injured and their properties looted. This led many to flee their homes in fear. The orchestrated violence against the Hindu minority in Bangladesh is a stark manifestation of religiously motivated hate crimes designed to instil fear and compel Hindus to abandon their homes. This systematic targeting involves not only physical assaults and property destruction but also psychological intimidation, aiming to undermine the community's sense of safety and belonging. The brutal attacks on individuals and the looting of businesses send a clear message that Hindus are not welcome in certain areas, effectively isolating them and creating a hostile environment. Such actions reflect deep-seated animosity and a deliberate effort to erase the presence of Hindus in the region, pushing them towards a forced exodus. Such hate crimes against Hindus represent a troubling trend of religious persecution that seeks to marginalise and displace an entire community. As such, this instance has been added to the tracker under the following category since the primary driving force behind these activities is disdain for Hindus and their faith.
Case Status
Complaint not filed
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Muslim Extremists
Perpetrators Range
N/A
Perpetrators Gender
both
Sources 
