At least one person was killed and 45 injured when Hindu homes, businesses and temples were attacked in Muslim-majority Bangladesh on Monday.
Hundreds of people demonstrated in Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka on Friday against violence against the country’s Hindu minority.
Hindus are the second largest religious group in Muslim-majority Bangladesh, numbering about 13 million in the country. Hindus make up about eight percent of the country’s total population.
At least one person was killed and 45 injured when Hindu homes, businesses and temples were attacked in Bangladesh on Monday after the country’s former prime minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country.
Bangladeshi Hindus have traditionally supported Hasina’s Awami League party.
Unrest broke out in Bangladesh in early August when students demanded an end to the country’s quota system for public sector jobs. The quota system has been criticized for favoring groups that support the country’s government.
According to the organization representing the country’s Hindu minority, violence has been reported in at least 52 of the country’s 64 districts.
– There is deep fear, anxiety and uncertainty among minorities all over the country, the organization stated in its press release.
The UN has also expressed its concern about violence against minorities in Bangladesh.
The UN stated in its statement that it opposes all “racist-based violence” and “incitement to racist violence”. The UN also called on the Bangladeshi authorities to take measures to suppress the violence.
Members of the Hindu minority have tried to escape to India
Hundreds of people belonging to the Hindu minority in Bangladesh have tried to flee the violence in the neighboring country to India, but without success.
Both Bangladesh and India increased border controls after student protests broke out in early August.
The Nobel Peace Prize winner who became the leader of Bangladesh Muhammad Yunus has promised that the goal of his interim government is to protect the country’s Hindu minority from violence.
– Our task is to protect them all. If you believe and trust me, I will make sure that no one is attacked. If you can’t listen to me on this matter, there’s no point in me being here, Yunus said.
Source: Reuters