Bangladesh confirms 88 communal attacks on minorities: A fateful confession amid Indian foreign secretary’s visit

Sanjoy Kumar Barua

On Tuesday, Bangladesh’s interim government confirmed 88 incidents of communal violence targeting minorities, primarily Hindus, following the departure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August.

The confirmation coincided with Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s visit to Dhaka, where he raised concerns over the safety and welfare of minority communities in Bangladesh during high-level meetings with Bangladeshi officials.

Shafiqul Alam, spokesperson for Muhammad Yunus, briefed the press, revealing that 70 individuals have been arrested in connection with the reported attacks, and investigations are ongoing.

Alam emphasized that the number of cases and arrests could rise, with new reports of violence emerging from regions such as Sunamganj, Gazipur, and others.

The incidents occurred between August 5 and October 22, with 88 cases formally registered so far.

Alam mentioned that while some victims were from the Hindu community, others were targeted due to political affiliations or personal disputes.

He added that some of the perpetrators were allegedly former members of the previous ruling party.

Though many of the attacks were not specifically faith-based, Alam assured the press that the government is committed to taking stringent action against all perpetrators.

Alam also highlighted that incidents reported after October 22 would be disclosed soon.

Recent weeks have seen a surge in violence against Hindus and other minorities, including attacks on temples, which has sparked widespread condemnation.

These developments have raised concerns in India, where the safety of Hindus in Bangladesh remains a sensitive issue in bilateral relations.

Misri’s visit to Dhaka, part of the annual foreign office consultations with his Bangladeshi counterpart, Mohammad Jashim Uddin, comes at a time of heightened tension between the two nations.

The arrest of Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das and the escalating violence against minorities have further strained India-Bangladesh relations.

Shafiqul Alam, in a briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka on Tuesday evening, presented these details based on reports from the police.

He stated that 70 arrests had been made in connection with the violence targeting minorities, with 88 cases registered up to October.

Alam confirmed that a list of incidents occurring after October 22 would be made available shortly, with more arrests and cases expected as fresh reports emerge from places like Sunamganj, Chattogram, Turag in Dhaka, and Narsingdi.

According to Alam, the majority of cases involved attacks on Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian communities.

The police reported 62 cases, with 35 arrests, and 26 additional cases were related to violence at puja mandaps and places of worship, leading to 35 more arrests.

Addressing questions from the media, Alam explained that those arrested were individuals suspected of being involved in the violence, and investigations were ongoing.

While some of the attackers were suspected to be members of the ruling party, Alam clarified that all individuals involved in violent acts would be arrested, regardless of their political affiliations.

He emphasized that all incidents, including those involving members of the previous ruling party, were being treated seriously as part of a comprehensive investigation.

The Bangladesh government has vowed to ensure that all those involved in these acts of violence are held accountable, signaling a commitment to addressing communal tensions amid rising concerns over minority rights in the country.

After the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August, Bangladesh’s interim government has found itself caught in a web of denials and contradictions as reports of communal violence targeting minority communities, particularly Hindus, continue to surface.

Despite mounting evidence of attacks on religious minorities, including assaults on temples and homes, the government has vehemently denied that these incidents represent a wider trend of communal violence, framing them instead as isolated or politically motivated acts.

Government officials have downplayed the situation, asserting that the violence, while concerning, is not reflective of systemic discrimination against minorities in Bangladesh.

However, these claims have been met with skepticism, both domestically and internationally, especially as these incidents have escalated in number and severity.