Dhaka: Bangladesh’s Hindu minority is grappling with a surge in communal violence under the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, raising alarm as the nation approaches its 2026 general elections.
Reports of targeted attacks on Hindu homes, temples, and businesses have intensified since the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, following a student-led uprising.
Human rights groups and international observers, including India, have voiced grave concerns over the safety of religious minorities.
The violence, often linked to political vendettas against perceived Awami League supporters, has seen over 2,000 incidents targeting Hindus, with 23 deaths and 152 temple attacks reported since August, according to India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
A recent lynching of a Hindu man in Mymensingh over blasphemy allegations has further inflamed tensions. Yunus’s administration, while condemning such acts, has faced criticism for inadequate protection, with a UN report exposing widespread mob violence driven by religious and ethnic discrimination.
As elections loom, fears of escalating communal strife grow, with social media on X buzzing with calls for justice and international intervention. The interim government’s assurances of strict action have done little to quell unrest, as radical groups exploit the political vacuum. For Bangladesh’s 8% Hindu population, the struggle for safety amid rising intolerance casts a shadow over the nation’s democratic transition.