India Urges Bangladesh to Address Rising Violence Against Minorities

India has raised alarms over the increasing violence against minorities in Bangladesh, urging the government in Dhaka to take swift action. The Ministry of External Affairs pointed out a worrying trend of dismissing such incidents as personal disputes, which only emboldens perpetrators. Following the death of student leader Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, numerous attacks on minority communities were reported, prompting calls for accountability. The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council documented 51 incidents of communal violence in December alone. Despite India's concerns, the Bangladeshi government has rejected these claims, asserting that they misrepresent the country's tradition of communal harmony. This ongoing situation raises significant questions about the safety and rights of minorities in Bangladesh.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 10, 2026, 09:00 IST

India's Concerns Over Minority Safety in Bangladesh

On Friday, India expressed its concerns regarding Bangladesh's handling of a troubling trend of violence against minority groups, urging the Bangladeshi government to take decisive action against communal unrest.

Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, highlighted the alarming tendency to dismiss these violent incidents as mere personal disputes or political disagreements.

He emphasized that Bangladesh's failure to address these issues only serves to empower the aggressors and heightens the fear and insecurity felt by minority communities.

Following the unrest triggered by the death of student leader Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, numerous attacks on minorities were reported. Hadi, who was a key figure in the protests that led to the previous government's removal, died from gunshot wounds in Singapore on December 18.

The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council reported that December saw 51 incidents of communal violence, including 10 fatalities, 10 thefts, and 23 cases of property occupation, along with looting and arson targeting places of worship.

On December 26, India condemned the lynching of a Hindu man in Bangladesh, expressing concern over the ongoing hostility faced by minorities in the nation.

Dipu Chandra Das, a factory worker, was killed by a mob in Mymensingh district on December 18, with reports indicating that his body was later desecrated. Eighteen individuals have been detained in connection with this incident.

Jaiswal reiterated that the persistent violence against minorities, including Hindus, Christians, and Buddhists, is a significant issue that requires attention.

However, two days later, the Bangladeshi government dismissed India's comments as “inaccurate and exaggerated,” asserting that such statements misrepresent the nation's tradition of communal harmony, according to spokesperson SM Mahbubul Alam.