Escalating Violence Against Minorities in Bangladesh Raises Alarm

Rising Attacks on Minorities Documented

Dhaka, Jan 9: The Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities (HRCBM) has reported a troubling increase in violence against minority groups throughout Bangladesh, with over a hundred fatalities recorded in just seven months.

The organization claims that these violent acts are part of a broader trend targeting minorities rather than isolated events.

From June 6, 2025, to January 5, 2026, HRCBM documented 116 deaths among minority communities across all eight divisions and 45 districts, including lynchings, murders, and suspicious fatalities. They emphasized that this violence is indicative of a systematic pattern of targeted attacks.

On Tuesday, the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, an organization advocating against religious discrimination, voiced serious concerns regarding the rising violence against minority communities as the national elections in February approach.

The council noted that communal violence has surged alarmingly, with at least 51 incidents reported in December alone. These incidents included 10 murders, 10 thefts, 23 cases of arson and looting affecting homes, businesses, temples, and land, as well as 4 instances of detention and torture based on false accusations of religious blasphemy, 1 attempted rape, and 3 physical assaults.

Continuing into January, the council highlighted ongoing violence, particularly against Hindu minorities. For instance, on January 2, paddy crops on 96 decimals of land owned by Satyanarjan Das were set ablaze in Ramgati, Lakshmipur. The following day, businessman Khokon Chandra Das was brutally murdered in Shariatpur after being hacked and set on fire. Additionally, a robbery occurred at Milon Das's home in Chattogram, where all family members were held hostage.

On January 4, a gold trader named Shubho Poddar was tied up, and around 30 bhori (approximately 350 grams) of gold jewelry were stolen from his shop. On the same day, a 40-year-old Hindu widow was raped in Kaliganj, Jhenaidah; she was tied to a tree, had her head shaved, and endured severe torture.

The rights organization condemned the rise in communal violence, stating that minority communities in Bangladesh are living in fear and uncertainty about their future.

Under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh has seen a disturbing increase in violence against minorities, prompting outrage from citizens and various human rights organizations worldwide.