Hindu temple, shops vandalised in Bangladesh after Facebook post sparks unrest

Bangladeshi authorities on Saturday arrested four individuals in connection with the vandalism of a Hindu temple, along with houses and shops belonging to the Hindu community, in Sunamganj district earlier this month. The suspects – Alim Hossain, 19; Sultan Ahmed Raju, 20; Imran Hossain, 31; and Shajahan Hossain, 20-were detained in the Doarabazar area, according to a press release from the Chief Adviser’s office.

The arrests follow a December 3 Facebook post by Akash Das, a local resident, which sparked communal tensions in the region. Although Das deleted the post, screenshots spread widely, inciting violence.

Das was detained by police the same day, but an attempt was made to seize him from police custody. For his safety, he was transferred to the Sadar Police Station.

Angered by the incident, a mob attacked and vandalised the Loknath Temple and properties belonging to the Hindu community. Authorities brought the situation under control with the intervention of police, the district administration, and army personnel.

The police have since filed a case against 12 named individuals and 150-170 unidentified suspects and are conducting an in-depth investigation to apprehend others involved.

This latest incident comes amidst heightened concerns over communal violence in Bangladesh following political turmoil. The ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5, following a student-led protest, and the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus have reportedly strained relations between India and Bangladesh.

Incidents of violence targeting Hindus and other minorities have surged, with the interim government acknowledging 88 communal attacks since Hasina’s departure. These include attacks on temples, arson, and violence against minority families.

India has expressed strong concerns about the safety of minorities in Bangladesh. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri recently flagged the issue in talks with Bangladeshi leaders, urging measures to ensure the welfare of minorities.

Meanwhile, the White House stated on Thursday that President Joe Biden is closely monitoring the situation and warned that the US would hold the Bangladeshi interim government accountable for protecting religious and ethnic minorities.

Rights organisations, such as the Centre for Democracy, Pluralism, and Human Rights (CDPHR), have highlighted the scale of violence.

Their report, Bangladesh Minorities Under Siege: A Wake-Up Call for the International Community, documents over 2,000 incidents of violence against Hindus since August, including desecration of 69 temples and attacks on 157 families.

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