Religious minority groups in Bangladesh are set to hold nationwide human chains and protest marches on Friday, March 13, in a unified stand against a surge in communal violence that has left communities gripped by fear since the country’s 13th national election in February.
Organized by the Bangladesh Hindu Bouddha Christian Oikya Parishad (BHBCOP) and allied minority alliances, the demonstrations highlight nearly 50 documented incidents of attacks, including murders, rapes, temple vandalism, and land grabs, in the post-election period alone.
The protests come at a time when minorities—particularly Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and indigenous groups—report feeling increasingly vulnerable under the new BNP-led government, which assumed power on February 17.
Advocacy groups argue that these attacks are not isolated but part of a systematic pattern of persecution that has intensified since the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, fueled by political transitions, impunity for perpetrators, and a perceived rise in Islamist influences.
In Dhaka, the main event will commence at 10:30am at the National Press Club, with similar actions planned across districts. A press release from BHBCOP described the violence as “ongoing and communal,” emphasizing attacks on homes, businesses, and places of worship that have displaced families and eroded trust in law enforcement. “These incidents are creating a climate of terror where minorities feel like second-class citizens, constantly under threat,” the release stated, calling for immediate justice, protection, and accountability.
The announcement follows a string of high-profile tragedies that have amplified anxieties within minority communities. Just days ago, on March 8, 38-year-old Hindu shopkeeper Ganesh Pal was stabbed to death in Cox’s Bazar over an extortion demand related to his home construction.
Hindu shopkeeper stabbed to death in Cox’s Bazar over extortion demand
Factbox: Minority repression by Yunus government supporters neglected
Factbox: Mass violence before and after Sayedee verdict in 2013
His family recounted repeated threats from a neighbor, Jisan, who allegedly attacked Pal in broad daylight after he refused payment. Police have launched a manhunt, but the incident has reignited fears of targeted extortion rackets preying on Hindus, often with little recourse.
This killing is part of a broader wave documented by rights groups. In late February, two Hindus were murdered in Chattogram: 30-year-old Akash Das was stabbed while intervening in an assault, and 70-year-old Chandan Dey was shot resisting cattle thieves. Earlier in January, 60-year-old Madhu Chandra Shil died in Kurigram amid a land dispute clash.
BHBCOP’s January 30 report tallied 522 communal incidents in 2025, including 66 murders and 28 rapes, with the violence spilling into 2026—42 cases by late January, featuring 11 killings and nine temple desecrations.
Minority leaders and survivors describe a pervasive atmosphere of dread, exacerbated by what they call governmental inaction. A pre-election survey by the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) in February revealed that over 50% of religious minorities felt anxious about voting, with more than 25% deeming themselves “unsafe” or “extremely unsafe” in their homes. Dhaka University professor Robaet Ferdous, surveying firebombed Hindu homes in Chittagong, labeled the situation a “double paradox,” where minorities face retaliation for participating in elections or smears for abstaining. “Houses are being locked and set ablaze not for loot, but to instill fear and suppress votes,” he said.
Critics point to historical precedents under BNP rule, including periods of minority torture in 1992, 2001-06, 2012-15, and 2021, as well as post-August 2024 attacks.
Senior journalist Probir Kumar Sarker noted that with “conspirators and jihadist patrons now in parliament,” hopes for justice into communal attacks since August 5, 2024, and post-February election are dim. He referenced the Islamization efforts by BNP founder General Ziaur Rahman, father of current Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, as a lingering shadow over minority rights.
Human rights organizations like Citizens for Human Rights and Write For Rights have demanded special security measures, swift arrests, compensation, and oversight by the National Human Rights Commission.
A Deutsche Welle report highlighted how families in affected areas feel unprotected, with authorities often dismissing incidents as “neighbor disputes” rather than communal targeting. BHBCOP has criticized major parties, including the BNP, for omitting minority safeguards in their manifestos, calling it a “ruthless neglect” that threatens survival.
The BNP government has faced accusations of failing to address these issues effectively, providing minimal compensations and doing little to rebuild trust. In the Dipu Chandra Das lynching case from December 2025—where a garment worker was beaten and burned over false blasphemy claims—police arrested a key suspect in February, but advocates say such actions are sporadic and insufficient to dismantle underlying criminal networks.
As protests unfold tomorrow, minority groups hope to draw national and international attention to their plight. “This is not just about justice for the victims; it’s about ensuring no community remains an easy target in Bangladesh,” said journalist Probir Kumar Sarker.