Hindu devotional event disrupted, worshippers threatened by Islamist in Bangladesh
Mymensingh District, Bangladesh 
2 February, 2025
Case Summary
In Mymensingh, Bangladesh, Md. Sajib, a known Islamic extremist and leader of the anti-quota movement, disrupted a Hindu Harinaam Kirtan event. He threatened to stop the sacred rituals, causing distress among the Hindu community. This incident was part of a larger pattern of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, which had been escalating since the fall of Sheikh Hasina's Awami League government on August 5, 2024. Islamist extremists had been taking advantage of the political instability, resulting in attacks on Hindu homes, abductions of women, and the destruction of several temples. The situation had been leading to widespread fear and suffering within the Hindu community in the country.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case has been added to the tracker under the prime category of- Restriction/ban on Hindu practices and within this, the sub-category selected is- Restriction on expression of Hindu identity. An example of the state-affected prejudicial and targeted orders against the Hindu community would be a government denying the right of a Hindu or a group of Hindus to hold a religious procession owing to the animosity of non-Hindu groups. Denial of the religious right of the Hindus to assuage the non-Hindu group which harbours animosity to a point where it could lead to violence against Hindus is not only a failure of law and order but is a prejudicial order against Hindus, denying them their fundamental rights to express their religious identity. An example of a hate crime against Hindus by a non-Hindu would be a non-Hindu institution forcing its Hindu employees to abandon religious symbols that a Hindu would wear as an expression of faith owing to inherent prejudice against the faith professed by the victim or a non-Hindu group of people restricting a Hindu group from constructing a place of worship simply because the demography of the area in which the temple is being built is dominated by non-Hindus. Such actions are driven by religious animosity and/or prejudice against Hindus and their faith and would therefore be categorized as a hate crime. The removal of Sheikh Hasina from power in Bangladesh on August 5, 2024, 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. Following a pattern of attacks on Hindu individuals and religious institutions, ISKCON members have increasingly become targets of aggression in the Muslim-majority nation. These incidents are marked by physical assaults, intimidation, and systemic neglect by authorities, leaving victims without recourse to justice. Amid this, Md Sajib, a known Islamic extremist and leader of the anti-quota movement, disrupted a Hindu Harinaam Kirtan event. He threatened to stop the sacred rituals. This disruption of the Harinaam Kirtan event was not an isolated act but part of a larger pattern of intolerance against Hindus and their religious practices. The sole trigger behind this incident was the deep-seated hostility towards Hinduism, demonstrating that such attacks are not just about targeting an individual or a specific gathering, but an attempt to intimidate and demoralize the entire Hindu community. By attacking one of the most sacred rituals of Hindus, the perpetrators sought to send a broader message of dominance, suppression, and religious persecution. These acts are calculated attempts to instil fear, erode the sense of security among Hindus, and ultimately disrupt their religious and cultural cohesion. The systemic nature of such aggression, coupled with the apathy or complicity of authorities, reinforces the reality that these are not random acts of violence but deliberate, ideological assaults rooted in deep-seated animosity against Hinduism. Consequently, this case has been added to the tracker.
Case Status
Unknown
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Muslim Extremists
Perpetrators Range
One Person
Perpetrators Gender
male
Sources 
