In a powerful display of unity, leaders from Bangladesh’s religious and ethnic minority communities gathered at the National Press Club this morning to protest the wave of communal violence that has persisted in the month following the recent national elections.
Organized by the Minority Unity Alliance, the human chain and rally highlighted what participants described as a deliberate effort by certain quarters to undermine the government’s commitment to building a secular, humane society and state.
The Bangladesh Hindu Bouddha Christian Oikya Parishad (BHBCOP), in coordination with the Minority Unity Alliance, reported nearly 50 incidents of communal violence across the country in the post-election period.
Speakers condemned the lack of accountability, emphasizing that perpetrators have enjoyed near-total impunity, fueling fear among minorities and eroding public trust in law enforcement and the justice system.
Among the documented atrocities cited during the assembly were the following:
– The abduction and gang rape of a woman participating in a religious festival in Tajumuddin, Bhola.
– Murders in multiple districts, including Akash Das in Chattogram, Sunil Banshphor in Bogura, Ganesh Paul (a businessman) in Cox’s Bazar, teacher Chayan Rajbhar in Bogura, Arun Adhikari in Jashore, Sushen Chandra Sarkar (a rice trader) in Mymensingh, and Amitabh Chandra Sujan in Gaibandha Sadar Upazila.
– Attacks on places of worship, such as a grenade explosion at the Kali Gachhtala Shiv Temple in Comilla’s Dakshinpara, injuring the priest and three others; arson at Lakshmi Temple in Dhunat, Bogura; vandalism at Hamkora Kali Temple in Assasuni, Satkhira; and assaults, looting, and arson at a family temple in Feni.
Leaders expressed deep disappointment that the peaceful, fear-free voting environment ensured just days before the polls—allowing citizens to vote without hindrance—has not been sustained in the post-election phase. They urged the government and head of state to take immediate, effective action to halt these “sinister activities” and restore the same level of security for democratic nation-building.
The rally demanded swift arrests and exemplary punishment for all those involved in communal incidents, compensation for victims, and proper medical treatment for the injured. Participants also reiterated their long-standing eight-point charter, calling for the immediate enactment of a Minority Protection Act, formation of a Minority Commission, and establishment of a dedicated Minority Ministry to safeguard vulnerable communities.
Presided over by journalist Basudev Dhar, president of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad, the gathering featured addresses from prominent figures including Advocate Subrata Chowdhury (president of Gano Forum and member of the Oikya Parishad presidium), Manindra Kumar Nath (acting general secretary of BHBCUC and joint coordinator of the Minority Unity Alliance), Subrata Hazra of the Bangladesh Christian Association, Advocate Suman Kumar Roy of the Bangladesh Sanatan Party, Santosh Das of the World Hindu Federation, Dr. M.K. Roy of the Bangladesh Hindu Mahajot, Atul Chandra Mandal of Anubhav Bangladesh, Krishna Das of Oikya Parishad Dhaka South, Newton Adhikari of Matua Mahasangha, Supriya Bhattacharya of Bangladesh Mahila Oikya Parishad, Shimul Saha of Yuva Oikya Parishad, Sajib Sarkar of Chhatra Oikya Parishad, Piyush Das of Sanatan Mahasangha, and others.
The event was moderated by Palash Kanti De, spokesperson and executive general secretary of the Bangladesh National Hindu Mahajot.
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Following the speeches, hundreds of participants marched from the Press Club premises to Paltan Mor and back, chanting slogans for justice and protection. Similar human chains and processions took place in various districts and metropolitan areas nationwide, amplifying the call for an end to impunity.
Senior journalist Probir Kumar Sarker observes that without prompt intervention, such unchecked violence threatens the fabric of Bangladesh’s secular identity and the safety of its diverse population. They appealed to authorities to prioritize investigations, ensure accountability, and fulfill longstanding demands to foster genuine communal harmony.
The rally underscored a broader concern amid Bangladesh’s fragile post-election transition: that failure to address communal violence and impunity risks deepening divisions and undermining democratic gains.
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.
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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.