Bangladesh must protect its Hindus

Reports of Hindu temples, businesses and homes in Bangladesh being vandalised by mobs running amok after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government are deeply worrying. The interim government, and the Bangladeshi army, must immediately put a stop to these acts of mindless violence that does no good for the reputation of a rebuilding country. Muhammad Yunus, appointed as head of the interim government, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006. That should count for something to push for normalcy and real democracy to settle down in Bangladesh. The powers that be in Dhaka must make restoring law and order – and taking action against perpetrators – a priority.

British foreign secretary David Lammy has urged for a UN-led investigation into the violent turn of events in Bangladesh over the past weeks. India should support this and demand that attacks against minorities also be included in such an investigation. With its own sizeable Bangladeshi population – and current outbreak of anti-minority violence – Britain should know the dangers of not standing up to communalism.

There has been a steady erosion of Bangladesh’s minority population over the decades – from 19.8% in 1971 to around 8% in 2022. Not taking clear steps to end the current bout of anti-Hindu attacks will continue to chip away democracy in the country and turn it into a breeding ground for fundamentalist forces the people of Bangladesh, let alone of the region, can do well without. New Delhi should swiftly present itself to the new Dhaka dispensation as a reliable partner in an effort to put a lid on this menace. For this purpose, it could also muster up the critical mass of collectives like Bimstec. Whatever it takes, anti-Hindu attacks in post-Hasina Bangladesh must stop.