The current situation in Bangladesh paints a deeply troubling picture. It highlights escalating violence and systemic oppression against its Hindu population. Since August 2024, following a regime change, the plight of Hindus has worsened dramatically under a military-Islamist government led by Prof. Muhammad Yunus, with no accountability. Mobs roam rural areas with impunity targeting Hindu families with brutal assaults. Even the places of worship and homes of minority communities are not spared. Women are subjected to sexual violence and for their own safety families are forced to flee from their ancestral lands.
Hindus in Bangladesh have long faced persecution and exclusion, with their culture, religion, and identity under constant attack. Despite Bangladesh’s secular founding in 1971, the country gradually shifted towards religious fundamentalism, declaring itself an Islamic state in 1988. Once 22% of the population in 1951, Hindus now make up only 8.5% as of 2011. Their survival is increasingly threatened, and their community faces the risk of extinction.
This report highlights their suffering and examines how the growing influence of extremist groups has deeply impacted government, politics, and society, leaving minority communities increasingly vulnerable and struggling to survive.
Purpose of the Report
The purpose of this report is to highlight the ongoing persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh, a tragedy often ignored. By documenting the historical trajectory of this persecution, we aim to highlight not only the scale of the violence but also its systematic nature. From the killings, forced abductions and conversions during pre-Partition riots to the barbaric genocide of 1971, these acts were never random. They were calculated efforts to decimate the Hindu population and erase their cultural identity.
The findings of this report are more than just statistics; they are human lives impacted by injustice. By presenting these realities, we hope to inspire immediate action, foster international solidarity, and ensure the safety and dignity of Hindus in Bangladesh for generations to come.
Findings
Our research uncovers a painful yet undeniable truth: the persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh is both historical and ongoing, deeply rooted in systemic discrimination and violence.
Historical Persecution
The 1971 genocide remains a dark stain on human history, during which Operation Searchlight carried out by Pakistan army in what was then East Pakistan resulted in the killing of three million civilians, the rape of up to 300,000 women, and the mass destruction of Hindu temples. The Pakistan army should be held to account for its war crimes in 1971.
The systematic nature of the violence was chilling, with Hindus hunted down through "short-arm inspections" to identify their religious identity.
Institutionalized Marginalization
The 1988 declaration of Bangladesh as an Islamic State marked a turning point in the systemic exclusion of Hindus. Policies restricted their economic opportunities, stifled their rights, and fostered an environment of unchecked violence.
In rural areas, Hindus have been disproportionately targeted through land grabs, forced displacements, and mob violence, with little to no intervention from authorities.
Contemporary Crisis
In August 2024, following a regime change, the situation for Hindus worsened drastically. Reports document an alarming rise in gang rapes, murders, and desecration of temples.
Rural Hindu communities face the brunt of these attacks, enduring atrocities that often go unreported and unpunished.
Recommendations
To stop the ongoing persecution and foster an environment of safety and dignity for Hindus in Bangladesh, we propose the following actionable measures:
International Recognition and Intervention
The United Nations and global human rights organizations must formally recognize the plight of Hindus in Bangladesh as an ongoing genocide.
International pressure must be applied to ensure accountability for crimes against minorities.
Legal Protections
Enact robust Minority Protection Laws in Bangladesh, safeguarding the rights of Hindus and other minorities.
Establish special tribunals to prosecute crimes against minorities and ensure swift justice for victims.
Economic Support and Resettlement
Offer financial aid to displaced Hindu families to help them rebuild their lives.
Protect land ownership rights and provide legal recourse for victims of land grabs.
Monitoring and Reporting Mechanisms
Set up independent bodies to monitor hate crimes and make the report public.
Establish a database documenting incidents of violence to ensure transparency and accountability.
A Call to Action
This report is not just a record of history but an urgent plea for justice. Hindus in Bangladesh, who have contributed to its culture and heritage for centuries, now face extinction in their own homeland.
How much longer can the world remain silent? Each day of inaction pushes this ancient community closer to disappearance.
The international community must hold the Government of Bangladesh wholly accountable for protecting its citizens and preventing further atrocities and demand compliance with its obligations under United Nations Human Rights Declaration, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child , and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) signed and ratified by it.
This report has been sent to the UN Department of Peace Operations enquiring how can they hire Bangladesh armed forces for peacekeeping in other countries when they are committing atrocities against religious minorities in their own country. The World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and the Asian Development Bank have been exhorted to implement their own gender and social justice policies before lending to Bangladesh. We have also appealed to the social conscience of the brand names such as Zara, Calvin Klein, GAP, H&M, Levis, LL Bean, Tommy Hilfiger and others importing garments and other products from Bangladesh to demand end of discrimination of Hindus, Christians, Buddhists. By helping the current regime in Bangladesh through US$50 billion of imports, these brands should not facilitate genocide of religious minorities. We ask them to comply with the Global Compact for businesses.
We urge governments, global organizations, and individuals to stand with the Hindus of Bangladesh. They deserve the right to live without fear, practice their faith, and rebuild their lives with dignity. Let us work towards a world where no community fears for its survival, and justice wins over hatred.
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