Religious minorities are facing systematic persecution, harassment and violence.
Religious minorities in Bangladesh are living through a quiet but harrowing ordeal, facing systematic persecution, harassment, and violence. For years, the country’s Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, and other minority groups have borne the brunt of radicalized aggression, with little protection from the government. A recent incident shared by a colleague underscores the deep-rooted discrimination and danger faced by these communities.
A Christian man, working as a registrar at a college, received a chilling WhatsApp message while at work. The message came from his wife’s phone, but it wasn’t from her. Attached was a photograph of his wife and two daughters, sitting on a bed, visibly terrified. Standing on either side of them were two armed men, identified as Islamic radicals. The message was blunt: “Resign from your job immediately or face consequences.”
Faced with the immediate threat to his family, the man resigned from his position the same day, without notice. His resignation meant losing his job, pension benefits, and financial security. The next day, the college appointed a new registrar from the majority Muslim community. This was no coincidence; it was part of a broader pattern of intimidation targeting minorities.
Unfortunately, this incident is just one of countless examples of the plight of religious minorities in Bangladesh. According to Christian leaders in the country, over 1,200 incidents of violence and intimidation against Christians by radicalized groups have been recorded in recent years. These include forced conversions, physical assaults, property seizures, and threats aimed at driving Christians out of their jobs and homes.
The Christian community in Bangladesh is relatively small, making up only about 0.3% of the country’s population of 170 million. Despite their small numbers, they face outsized levels of harassment. Even more alarming, over 300 Christians are currently reported missing or untraceable. Many are feared to have been abducted, killed, or trafficked, with their cases largely ignored by law enforcement.
The situation for Hindus, who constitute roughly 8% of the population, is even more dire. According to reports from human rights organizations, the number of atrocities against Hindus is three times higher than those faced by Christians. These acts include attacks on temples, destruction of property, and violence against individuals, often with the intent of forcing them to flee or convert. Despite the scale of these atrocities, the interim Bangladeshi government has consistently failed to release official statistics, let alone take action to curb these violations.
Data from Human Rights Watch and other organizations reveal that religious minorities in Bangladesh have experienced a sharp increase in targeted violence in recent years. For instance:
* Between 2013 and 2022, over 3,600 incidents of violence were reported against Hindus, including 1,900 cases of land grabs.
* In 2021, during Durga Puja celebrations, over 120 Hindu temples and homes were vandalized in a coordinated attack following rumors of blasphemy.
* From 2017 to 2022, nearly 400 cases of forced conversions of minority women were documented, with most victims under 18 years old.
These statistics represent only the reported cases. Many incidents go unreported due to fear of retaliation, lack of faith in the justice system, or the sheer normalization of violence against minorities.
The persecution of religious minorities in Bangladesh is not just limited to physical violence. It extends to systemic discrimination in employment, education, and access to justice. Stories like that of the Christian registrar are disturbingly common. Minorities are often forced to resign from prominent positions or are systematically excluded from opportunities.
This discrimination is deeply rooted in the country’s socio-political dynamics. Radicalized elements, often with the tacit approval of local authorities, aim to create a monocultural society where minorities are subjugated or driven out entirely. Many minority families live in constant fear, wondering when their turn will come to face harassment or violence.
Adding to their plight is the lack of accountability. Law enforcement agencies often fail to investigate crimes against minorities, and perpetrators rarely face consequences. Instead, victims are often coerced into silence or forced to leave their communities to escape further harm.
The international community has largely remained silent on the escalating persecution of minorities in Bangladesh. While organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have documented the crisis, global leaders have done little to hold Bangladesh accountable for its failure to protect its vulnerable citizens.
This silence is particularly troubling given Bangladesh’s commitments under international human rights conventions. Religious freedom is a fundamental human right, enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, both of which Bangladesh has ratified.
Countries and organizations that maintain diplomatic and economic ties with Bangladesh must exert pressure on its government to take immediate action. This includes ensuring that law enforcement agencies investigate crimes against minorities, prosecuting perpetrators, and providing safeguards to prevent further violence.
The plight of minorities in Bangladesh is a humanitarian crisis that demands urgent attention. Without intervention, the lives of millions will continue to be marked by fear, discrimination, and violence.
The Christian registrar’s story is not just a personal tragedy; it is a reflection of a larger, systemic issue that threatens the very fabric of Bangladesh’s multicultural society. It is a reminder that behind every statistic is a family torn apart, a community displaced, and a life forever altered.
The international community must recognize this crisis for what it is: a violation of basic human rights and dignity. Governments, human rights organizations, and civil society must work together to bring the world’s attention to the plight of Bangladesh’s minorities and demand action.
If left unchecked, the violence and discrimination will only escalate, pushing Bangladesh’s minorities further into the margins. The question is not whether action should be taken, but whether the world will act before it is too late.
* Savio Rodrigues is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Goa Chronicle.