In recent years, reports of increasing attacks, discrimination, and marginalization of Hindu communities in Bangladesh have drawn international attention. While Bangladesh is home to a diverse array of religious communities, including Hindus—who make up an estimated around 8 % of the country’s roughly 170 million population—Hindu minorities have increasingly been victims of violence, discrimination, and systemic neglect.
A Two-Decade Trend of Violence and Discrimination
Human rights organizations and minority groups have tracked incidents of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh for many years. While precise figures vary by source, the broad patterns are stark:
2013–2022: More than 3,600 incidents of violence against Hindus were documented, including nearly 1,900 land grabs and rampant attacks on temples and homes.
2022: Reports show around 47 violent incidents targeting Hindus and other minorities.
2023: Violence increased to 302 reported cases.
2024: Allegations from Indian and minority groups cite about 2,200 cases of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, marking a sharp escalation, especially in the wake of political turmoil.
2024–2025 Unrest: The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council reported 2,442 hate crimes between August 2024 and June 2025, including killings, sexual assaults, arson, and attacks on property and worship places.
Recent Reports: In one 12-month period up to mid-2024, at least 1,045 cases of violence against minorities were recorded, resulting in dozens of deaths.
2025 Blasphemy-Linked Violence: Human rights groups reported at least 71 incidents linked to blasphemy allegations targeting Hindu minorities in just six months.
Examples of specific atrocities include the lynching of Dipu Chandra Das in December 2025, where a mob killed a Hindu garment worker based on unfounded blasphemy accusations, and the Gangachara attack in mid-2025, where entire Hindu neighbourhoods were vandalised and families forced to flee.
Experts caution that these reported incidents likely underrepresent the full extent of discrimination, much of which goes unreported due to fear of retaliation or a lack of faith in justice systems.
Root Causes: Political Instability, Extremism, and Structural Discrimination
The surge in human rights violations against Hindus in Bangladesh over the last two decades is driven by a combination of structural, political, and social dynamics:
1. Political Instability and Power Shifts
Political unrest and sudden changes in government have often acted as catalysts for violence. After the departure of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government in 2024, reports of targeted attacks against Hindus surged significantly, sometimes framed by political actors as violence against segments perceived to align with former power structures.
2. Resurgence of Hardline Religious Groups
Groups like Jamaat-e-Islami and other Islamist factions, historically linked to tensions with secular politics, have experienced a resurgence in recent years. Analysts say this has emboldened extremist rhetoric and sometimes translated into mob violence targeting religious minorities.
3. Social Prejudices and Blasphemy Accusations
Blasphemy allegations, even when unfounded, have served as a pretext for violent attacks, mob lynchings, and discrimination. This reflects deeper societal prejudices that minorities face in regions with rising religious polarization.
4. Weak Protection and Justice Mechanisms
Impunity for perpetrators remains a major problem. Critics argue that law enforcement has often failed to protect minorities or prosecute attackers effectively, perpetuating a cycle of violence and mistrust.
Impact on Hindu Communities
The human cost has been heavy, affecting not just individuals but entire communities:
Loss of life through mob attacks and beatings.
Physical and sexual violence targeted disproportionately at women.
Destruction of homes, temples, and property.
Displacement and fear of forced migration.
Erosion of dignity and social security, making everyday life precarious.
Religious minorities also often face systemic discrimination in employment, access to justice, and political representation, reinforcing social exclusion.
The Role of the International Community expected to be more sound and effective.
Given the scale and severity of human rights violations, the international community has several avenues to support vulnerable populations:
1. Diplomatic Pressure & Dialogue
Countries and international bodies should engage diplomatically with Bangladesh to insist on the protection of minority rights, equitable law enforcement, and accountability for crimes against religious minorities.
2. Human Rights Monitoring
Independent monitoring by bodies such as the UN Human Rights Council and international NGOs can provide transparent documentation and help deter abuses.
3. Support for Civil Society
Funding and political support for local human rights defenders and community organisations can strengthen grassroots protections and reporting mechanisms.
4. Sanctions and Conditional Aid
Where appropriate, targeted sanctions against individuals or institutions found responsible for gross human rights violations can serve as a deterrent. International aid can be conditioned on tangible improvements in minority protections.
5. Awareness and Reporting
Global media, civil society, and academic platforms must continue to highlight and rigorously document abuses to prevent failures of accountability.
As per geopolitical expert Pavneet Singh, current situation of Bangladesh has broader geopolitical dynamics, this is not just as isolated internal violence.
Bangladesh’s internal political changes with influences from Pakistan, China, and external “deep state” interests, suggesting that tensions are not accidental but part of larger strategic shifts in South Asia. He argues that these external influences could affect India-Bangladesh relations and that India must respond intelligently to protect its strategic interests.
The RSS’s Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha has explicitly alleged that attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh are part of a concerted effort, involving Pakistan and a “Deep State,” to destabilise the region. They argue that violence is not just political strife but systematic persecution, urging international intervention.
These claims cite demographic changes over decades—Hindus declining from 22 % in 1951 to under 8 % today—as evidence of long-term pressure and migration fuelled by discrimination and violence.
Conclusion
The human rights crisis facing Hindu minorities in Bangladesh is a complex intersection of political instability, social prejudice, and structural impunity. While official narratives sometimes dismiss reports of discrimination as exaggerated, a wide array of independent data underscores a real and escalating pattern of targeted religious violence and societal marginalisation.
Addressing these issues requires sustained international engagement, systemic legal reforms, and unwavering public scrutiny. Only through coordinated global and local action can the suffering of Hindu minorities—and all vulnerable communities—be meaningfully addressed and prevented.
