Protests Erupt in Dhaka Over Arrest of Hindu Leader Amid Allegations of Targeting Minorities

Protests have erupted in Dhaka, Bangladesh, following the arrest of Haridas Chandra Tarani Das, a young Hindu leader accused of money laundering. The Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council organized the demonstrations, condemning the police's actions and alleging that Das was targeted for his initiative to build a statue of Lord Ram. This incident has sparked outrage among minority communities, who claim that such arrests are part of a broader pattern of systemic violence against non-Muslims in the country. The situation has drawn diplomatic attention, with calls for the Bangladeshi government to ensure the safety of minority groups amidst rising tensions.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 18, 2026, 16:19 IST

Protests in Dhaka Following Arrest of Hindu Leader

Dhaka: Significant protests have taken place in Bangladesh's capital, Dhaka, led by minority leaders following the arrest of a young Hindu man, Haridas Chandra Tarani Das, on charges of "money laundering." The demonstration was organized by the Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council outside the National Press Club, where leaders condemned the police's actions. It is claimed that Das was targeted due to his efforts to erect an 81-foot statue of Lord Ram in the Palashbari region of Gaibandha district.

Manindra Kumar Nath, the general secretary of the Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council, stated, "Today, the Bangladesh Hindu Buddha Krishnalok Tabarishad organized a protest against the arrest of Haridas Chandra Tarani Das. He was detained by the government a few days ago under the pretext of constructing a Ram Chandra statue in Palashbari. We cannot accept such an arrest of Taroni Das." Nath further asserted that there has been a systematic pattern of violence and legal targeting against non-Muslim communities in the country over the past two years.

"In the last two years, various forms of arrests and atrocities have occurred in Bangladesh. Last year alone, there were around 3,000 incidents, including 66 murders and numerous attacks on temples by extremists. This is unacceptable," Nath added. Following Das's arrest, a local court ordered his imprisonment, sparking outrage among minority groups who claim the money laundering allegations are a "malicious" attempt to hinder religious construction.

This incident follows recent large-scale protests by the Hindu community regarding the alleged desecration of a Lord Ram image during an Islamist rally in Gaibandha district. Subrata Chowdhury, a senior figure in the Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council, issued a strong warning, stating, "A harmonious environment has been established. Who are those responsible for creating such incidents to embarrass the government? We demand that the government take appropriate action against this situation."

In the past two years, following Sheikh Hasina's ousting, there has been a noticeable increase in incidents of violence against minorities in Bangladesh. In June, members of the Hindu community held a torchlight procession in Dhaka to protest the alleged disrespect shown to Lord Ram, claiming that a violent mob had desecrated his statue. The rising violence against minorities has also attracted diplomatic scrutiny, with India urging Bangladesh on June 23 to take decisive action against radical Islamist groups and ensure the safety of minority communities.