Communal Violence Soars in Bangladesh: New Report Details 257 Incidents
Bangladesh recorded 257 incidents of communal violence during the first six months of this year. From January 1 to June 30, these incidents harmed 261 people across the country. The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council (BHBCUC) shared this alarming information on Monday.
The council held a press conference at the National Press Club in Dhaka. BHBCUC leaders said they gathered the data from news media reports and their own sources. Monindra Kumar Nath, the council’s Acting General Secretary, read a statement at the conference.
The report detailed different types of violence. Forty incidents led to 44 deaths. There were five attacks against women, including rape. Places of worship suffered 62 attacks, including damage and theft. Another 15 incidents involved grabbing land that belonged to places of worship.
Homes and businesses also faced significant harm. There were 47 attacks, including damage, theft, and arson, on these properties. The council also reported 10 incidents of abduction, extortion, and torture. Nine people were arrested or tortured for allegedly hurting religious feelings. Additionally, 21 incidents involved forced land seizures. Six other incidents fell into different categories.
The Unity Council presented an eight-point demand to the government. They asked for urgent steps to protect religious and ethnic minorities. The council wants words that cause anger or hate about religion, and the spreading of false stories, to be seen as “harmful acts.” These acts should be punished under the Special Powers Act.
BHBCUC leaders demanded that candidates involved in such acts should be stopped from running in elections. They also said religious minorities and small ethnic communities need recognition as “more vulnerable populations.” The government should declare a policy of “zero tolerance” against communal violence.
The eight demands include creating a law to protect minorities. The council also wants a National Minority Commission and a Ministry for Minorities. They asked the government to make rules simpler for the Vested Property Act. They also want land returned to its rightful owners following court orders.
Other demands include saving 60 parliamentary seats for minorities, chosen by direct voting. The council also seeks a new Anti-Discrimination Act. They want the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord to be properly put into action. Finally, they asked for three government holidays for Durga Puja, one for Probarana Purnima, and one for Easter Sunday.
Ranjan Karmakar, a member of the council’s presidium, said they want a country where all religions live peacefully. Nirmal Rozario, a council vice president, hoped the government would properly investigate attacks on minorities. He stated that if attacks continue, the council will be forced to plan bigger protests.
