Extremists attack on Hindu protesters unveils Bangladesh’s crisis

Sanjoy Kumar Barua

A shocking episode of violence in Bangladesh’s Rangpur Division has thrust the nation into a deepening crisis, highlighting the escalating threat faced by religious minorities.

What began as a hopeful rally for justice and equality turned into a brutal assault, exposing the growing fractures in a society already on the edge.

The rally, organized by the Bangladesh Sammilito Sanatani Jagran Mancha, aimed to raise urgent demands for the protection of Hindu minority rights.

Protesters, including families, elders, and children, traveled from across the country to the Mahiganj College grounds, where they were set to voice eight crucial demands.

These were not mere political requests but desperate pleas for survival in a nation increasingly hostile to religious minorities.

The demands were specific and urgent: the formation of a tribunal to expedite justice for persecuted minorities, the creation of a Ministry of Minority Affairs, compensation and rehabilitation for victims of violence, and reserved parliamentary seats for the Hindu population.

But before they could even begin their peaceful protest, they were met with violent opposition.

A mob, armed with lethal weapons and fueled by extremist ideology, ambushed the buses carrying the protesters, said the victiims.

Roads were blocked, vehicles surrounded, and what should have been a peaceful demonstration quickly turned into a scene of terror.

No escape, no safety—just helpless victims at the mercy of a violent mob.

Hindu community leaders later reported that at least 20 people were injured in the assault.

“This wasn’t random violence—it was an orchestrated attack,” one survivor, shaken but resolute, recalled.

“They knew exactly what they were doing—silencing us, breaking us down. But we will not be broken.”

Disturbing videos of the assault spread rapidly across social media, showing the raw brutality of the attack.

Protesters were trapped inside their buses as the mob hurled rocks and vile threats, turning their journey for justice into a nightmare.

In one chilling scene, an elderly man trying to flee was chased and savagely beaten by attackers.

Equally terrifying was the conspicuous absence of law enforcement.

Just an emboldened mob free to unleash violence unchecked.

“Where were the protectors of the people?” demanded one of the rally leaders.

Nilkanto Das, a protester from Chittagong, put it bluntly: “The silence of the authorities only empowers these attackers, leaving us to fend for ourselves.”

This assault is just the latest in a troubling series of incidents targeting Bangladesh’s Hindu minority.

The violence is not an isolated outburst but part of a growing trend of hostility that has been largely ignored by the government.

Amidst a growing climate of peril, the calls for reform from the Bangladesh Sammilito Sanatani Jagran Mancha remain largely ignored.

Those who managed to escape the initial onslaught quickly regrouped at the rally site, their resolve unbroken.

They raised their banners high, chanting for justice, equality, and the protection of their rights.

“This attack proves why our demands are urgent,” declared Biswas Prathim, one of the rally leaders.

“We will not live in fear. Enough is enough.”

In the aftermath of the violence, Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sanatan Jagoron Moncho and principal of Pundarik Dham, delivered a searing condemnation of both the attack and the government’s failure to act.

“This assault is a stark reminder of the volatile and dangerous position in which Bangladesh’s religious minorities now find themselves,” he said.

“It underscores the urgent need for systemic change—not just from the government, but from society as a whole. No one, regardless of their faith, should have to endure this terror in silence.”

Despite the physical and emotional scars left by the attack, the rally’s spirit remained unshaken. It stands as a testament to the courage of those who, despite all odds, continue to fight for their rights and dignity.

Their unwavering resolve sends a clear message: the struggle for justice is far from over, and it will not be silenced.

The rally’s leaders also pointed to what they believe is a larger conspiracy against Bangladesh’s Hindu community.

They emphasized that they would not allow anyone to harm their land or people.

“Since August 5, identified terrorists have been torturing us, but no action is being taken,” said Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, his voice filled with frustration.

“Our homes and lands are being seized, but the government ignores our demands. Instead, sedition charges are being filed against us.”

He made a bold declaration: “We were born in this country, and we will not allow anyone to steal our land while we are alive. We will resist those who try to divide the Sanatani.”

Analysts have long warned that extremist groups, emboldened by the government’s inaction, are systematically targeting vulnerable communities in Bangladesh.

And yet, those in power seem to turn a blind eye to the suffering of religious minorities.

The events in Rangpur are not just a tragic flare-up—they are a dire warning of the growing instability in Bangladesh, where the government’s failure to protect its citizens leaves religious minorities increasingly exposed to violence and persecution.