House of the president of Sribardi Upazila Youth Unity Council attacked, vandalised and looted amid large scale persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh
Bangladesh 
4 August, 2024
Case Summary
On August 5th, Bangladesh descended into chaos following a successful coup that ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, forcing her to flee the country as a violent mob approached her residence. In the power vacuum that ensued, Islamist groups capitalized on the unrest to target the Hindu community with brutal attacks. The violence resulted in numerous deaths and rapes, while Hindu homes, shops, and temples were looted and set on fire. The destruction was widespread, with entire communities being devastated. In Sherpur, the house of the president of the Sribardi Upazila Youth Unity Council was specifically targeted, attacked, vandalized, and looted during the chaos.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case has been categorized under the prime category of 'Attack not resulting in death' in the hate tracker. The relevant sub-category is 'Attacked for Hindu identity,' as the targeted individual was singled out specifically due to his religious identity. In several cases, Hindus are attacked merely for their Hindu identity without any perceived provocation. A classic example of this category of religiously motivated hate crime is a murder in 2016. 7 ISIS terrorists were convicted for shooting a school principal in Kanpur because they got ‘triggered’ seeing the Kalava on his wrist and tilak that he had put. In this, the Hindu victim had offered no provocation except for his Hindu religious identity. The motivation for the murder was purely religious, driven by religious supremacy. Such cases where Hindus are targeted merely for their religious identity would be documented as a hate crime under this category. The removal of Sheikh Hasina from power in Bangladesh on August 5 escalated the persecution and marginalisation of the Hindu minority in the predominantly Islamic nation, intensifying what can be described as a silent genocide. Since her ouster, Islamists have carried out unchecked atrocities against Hindus, including physical violence, the destruction of temples and religious symbols, and the systematic displacement of Hindus from their ancestral lands. Over 205 attacks on Hindu temples, shops, and businesses have been recorded following Sheikh Hasina's removal as Prime Minister. Many Hindus have been brutally murdered or injured in these assaults. Among the incidents, the house of the Sribardi Upazila Youth Unity Council president in Sherpur was specifically targeted and subjected to vandalism, looting, and severe damage, exemplifying the deliberate targeting of Hindus during the chaos. These incidents are not isolated but part of a coordinated effort to intimidate and suppress Hindus. This broader pattern of persecution reflects the systemic hostility faced by Hindus. This sort of attack specifically targeting Hindus stems from a deep-seated animosity Islamists harbour towards the Hindu faith, which is why this case has been categorised as a religiously motivated hate crime.
Victim Details
Total Victim
1
Deceased
0
Gender
- Male 1
- Female 0
- Third Gender 0
- Unknown 0
Caste
- SC/ST 0
- OBC 0
- General 0
- Unknown 1
Age Group
- Minor 0
- Adult 1
- Senior Citizen 0
- Unknown 0
Case Status
Unknown
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Muslim Extremists
Perpetrators Range
Unknown
Perpetrators Gender
unknown
Sources 
