09/2024 – THE SITUATION OF HINDUS IN BANGLADESH: AN EXAMINATION OF ATTACKS AND STATE RESPONSE
More recent reports suggest a surge in assaults specifically aimed at Hindus in Bangladesh. These attacks encompass acts of physical aggression, destruction of temples, and intimidation of Hindu persons. According to a 2023 report by the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, there has been a significant increase in instances of violence targeting Hindus, with more than 50 significant assaults documented in the previous year alone (Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, 2023). Frequent outbreaks of violence occur during religious holidays or periods of political turmoil, underscoring a concerning pattern of deliberate hostility.
Function of Extremist Organisations
Extremist factions exert a substantial influence in the systematic oppression upon Hindus. Acts of violence have been attributed to organisations such as Jamaat-e-Islami and many local extremist networks. These groups frequently rationalise their activities by drawing on radical interpretations of Islam and harbouring anti-Hindu feelings. An analysis conducted by the International Crisis Group in 2022 identifies these radical groups as key participants in planning and carrying out assaults against Hindu communities, motivated by a goal to establish religious supremacy and political sway (International Crisis Group, 2022).
