Desk:On November 5, violence erupted in Chittagong’s Hazarigali area after a controversial social media post, targeting the Hindu community. Reports suggest that this time, Bangladeshi security forces specifically targeted Hindus, leading to several serious injuries. Police arrested 49 people and filed cases against 582 individuals. Despite India’s repeated protests and warnings, the Bangladesh government under Prime Minister Yunus has failed to take strong action against the attacks on Hindus, which have been increasing in the country.
The violence began after Usman Ali, a member of the Jamaat-e-Islami, made derogatory comments on Hinduism and the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). In response, the Hindu community staged protests, which were met with force from the police and army.
Taslima Nasreen Shares Video of Police Brutality
Renowned Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen shared a video on social media showing police and security forces mercilessly beating protesters, using excessive force. Local media reports state that security forces fired shots in the air to disperse the crowd and damaged CCTV cameras to prevent evidence of the violence from being gathered.
A senior officer from Chittagong Metropolitan Police stated that security forces faced significant resistance during the clashes. Police also reported incidents where protesters threw bricks and acid, resulting in nine officers being injured, one of whom was attacked with acid.
Hindu Leaders Claim Discriminatory Treatment by Security Forces
Although 582 individuals have been charged and 49 arrested, Hindu leaders have accused security forces of targeting the Hindu community disproportionately. They claim that police subjected Hindu families to violence and vandalized their homes, even though Muslims were also involved in the violence.
The situation in Hazarigali remains tense, with the predominantly Hindu area under heavy surveillance and a curfew in place, restricting people from leaving their homes. The police are conducting house-to-house searches, creating an atmosphere of fear and anger within the local Hindu community.
Questions Raised About the Treatment of Hindus in Bangladesh
Attacks on the Hindu community in Bangladesh have been escalating, despite repeated concerns raised by India. Bangladesh’s Hindu population, which constitutes about 8% of the country’s total, is increasingly facing violence. Despite India’s strong opposition and warnings, Prime Minister Yunus has not taken any substantial action against the ongoing violence. While interim Prime Minister and Nobel laureate Mohammad Yunus condemned the violence, no strict measures have been taken, raising questions about his government’s response.