Hindus in Bangladesh Shiver Out of Fear - Soft Targets Always!
Over 200 incidents of targeted attacks against Hindus have occurred in the three days of disorder and anarchy that fell over bangladesh on august 5, after Sheikh Hasina's resignation as prime minister and her escape from a crowd clamoring for her blood. A total of five Hindus have lost their lives, and many incidents of sexual assault have occurred. In bangladesh, where Muslims predominate, Hindus have always been an easy target, but the extent of the violence this time is extraordinary, and it may be hard to hold those responsible accountable.
There were no law enforcement officers in bangladesh for at least three days. In response to irate crowds lynching scores of police officers in other areas, police officers are still not showing up for work. For those who wished to target Hindus with their hatred, this was their window of opportunity.
"In bangladesh, communal feelings have long existed. Some people hunt for any chance to harm minorities, Hindus in particular. Hindus were attacked even under the rule of the Awami League. Bangladeshi novelist and activist Anupam Debashis Roy tells india Herald that communalism is a real part of Bangladeshi society.
Given that Hasina's Awami League members and police officers have been the focus of recent violence, some may contend that it is hard to distinguish between political and sectarian elements. Nonetheless, it is evident that some of the violence was specifically motivated along religious lines due to the assaults on temples, deliberate robbery of Hindu-owned businesses, and encroachment on their premises.
Of the five Hindus who were slain, at least three had no apparent connection to politics or the police. A Rakhalgachi schoolteacher named Mrinal Kanti Chakraborty was fatally hacked, while his wife and daughter suffered severe injuries.
Anupam Roy, a resident of Dhaka, claims to know a number of victims unrelated to politics. He blames "Hindu hatred" for these attacks.
A report published by the bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council shows that in the three days between august 5 and 8, there were 205 incidents of violence in bangladesh against Hindus.
To be clear, more than simply 205 locations are being targeted. Numerous homes and businesses have been the target of these attacks in dozens of these situations, therefore the number of attacks is actually hundreds rather than just 205.
Temples dedicated to Durga or Iskcon have been the main targets on several occasions. Miscreants have encroached on a cremation in the Dinajpur district.