Even days after the ouster of the country’s elected leader, Sheikh Hasina, social unrest, chaos and anarchy continues to prevail in Bangladesh as Islamist mobs have so far forced several top officials in judiciary, finance, and educational sector to step down. Several key officials, including the country’s Chief Justice, central bank governor and Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University have been forced to resign as rioters accuse them of being Sheikh Hasina loyalists.
Facing violent protests, Bangladesh Bank governor Abdur Rouf Talukder has resigned from his post. However, as per reports, his resignation has not yet been accepted. According to Reuters, the Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University, ASM Maksud Kamal was also forced to step down from his post. Notably, the so-called student protests initially started from Dhaka University.
Earlier in the day, on Saturday (10th August), the rioters directed their attacks on the country’s highest court and its judges. The protesting ‘students’ and the Interim government alleged that judges of the Supreme Court were involved in a “conspiracy”. Demanding en-mass resignation of judges, thousands of rioters gheraoed the Supreme Court. While they demanded the resignation of all judges of the apex court, the rioters gave Chief Justice 2 hour ultimatum to tender his resignation or face “dire consequences”.
The situation escalated, with reports indicating that the Chief Justice may have fled the premises and later resigned from his post. Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan, appointed last year, was accused of being a Hasina loyalist.
The rioters directed their attack against the Supreme Court after the Chief Justice convened a full-court meeting allegedly without consulting the newly formed interim government. Following the development, the ‘student’ protesters alleged that the judges were involved in a conspiracy.
They also received support from Asif Mahmud, the adviser to the Youth and Sports Ministry of the Interim Government. Taking to Facebook, Mahmud had demanded the unconditional resignation of Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan and the cancellation of the full-court meeting.
Interim leader Muhammad Yunus calls targeted attacks on minorities as “heinous”
Meanwhile, on Saturday, Interim leader Muhammad Yunus condemned the attacks on minorities and urged the Bangladeshi youth to protect them. He described the targeted attacks as “heinous” and asserted that restoring law and order remained the top priority of the Interim government.
He said, “Are they not the people of this country? You have been able to save the country; can’t you save some families?… You must say – no one can harm them. They are my brothers; we fought together, and we will stay together.”
It is pertinent to note that following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina, Hindus and other minority groups have been facing targeted persecution at the hands of Islamist mobs. Strikingly, more than 205 incidents of attacks on Hindus and other Minorities have been reported across 52 districts of Bangladesh since 5th August when Sheikh Hasina resigned and was forced to flee to India to save her life. Scores of Hindus have been severely injured in the attacks on their homes, temples, and businesses.
Numerous reports of kidnapping, sexual assault, and other heinous crimes against woman have also rocked Bangladesh. Additionally, Bangladeshi Hindus, in thousands, have also attempted to cross over to India to seek refuge and avoid religious persecution in the country that is fast becoming an Islamic fundamentalist state under the interim government.
Following days of unhinged attacks, thousands of Hindus started raising voice against targeted attacks and religious persecution and continued staging protests in various parts of the country.
Bangladeshi Hindus unite to raise voice against ongoing religious persecution and targeted attacks
Hindus in Bangladesh have come out in large numbers in various cities of Bangladesh protesting against the attack on Hindus and temples by Islamists after the fall of Sheikh Hasina government. Large protests erupted in Shahbag in Dhaka, Shariatpur, Chittagong, Barishal, Dinajpur, Mymensingh and other places, demanding protection of religious minorities.
More than 7 lakh Hindus took to the streets in Chittagong city and raised slogans, this country does not belong to anyone's father.
— 🇮🇳Jitendra pratap singh🇮🇳 (@jpsin1) August 10, 2024
Jai Maa Kali
Now the Hindus of Bangladesh are also ready to take up arms.
Hindus of Bangladesh ! Please do not be afraid
Everyone has to die… pic.twitter.com/kYBRryW5oS
In Chittagong, there was a massive gathering of Hindus, with some media reports claiming that over 7 lakh Hindus assembled at Cheragi Pahar Square, the cultural centre of the port city. They held placards saying ‘why we are not independent’, ‘why attack on our temples’, ‘why threat to leave the country, nation wants answer’ etc.
Apart from Bangladesh, Hindus also came out in large numbers in India, UK, US and member nations of European Union to raise voices against persecution of Hindus and other religious minorities in Bangladesh.
The Hindu community in Bangladesh have raised the following specific demands –
- Establishment of a ministry of minorities.
- Formation of a minority protection commission.
- Enactment and Implementation of strict laws to prevent attacks against minorities.
- Allocation of 10% of parliamentary seats for minorities.
- Investigation on attack on minorities, arrest and appropriate punishment of culprits.
- Compensation to the Hindu minorities who have faced vandalism, loot and torture.
- Transform ‘Hindu Kalyan Trust’ as an autonomous body, free from Govt’s influence and interference.
- Bring back minorities who have fled villages in the border areas and protect them against threats.
- Ensure and arrange security for the Hindu homes, businesses, temples.
- Increase representation of the Hindu minorities in different Govt. entities.
