Attack on Hindu minorities in Bangladesh: How many killings and temple attacks in the last 6 months?

The increasing attacks on Hindu minorities in Bangladesh have become a matter of concern. Since August 5 last year, there have been continuous attacks on people of the Hindu community in Bangladesh, in which many temples have been targeted and innocent people have been killed. The Government of India has expressed serious concern over this situation and has raised the issue with the Government of Bangladesh. According to the report presented by the Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh in Parliament, the impact of recent political developments is also clearly visible behind these incidents.

Since August 5 last year, 23 Hindus have been killed in Bangladesh and at least 152 Hindu temples have been attacked. The government told Parliament on Friday that the government has taken note of the violence against minorities. Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh gave this information while answering a question in the Lok Sabha.

Kirti Vardhan Singh said that during the last two months (from November 26, 2024 to January 25, 2025), 76 incidents of attacks against Hindus have been reported in Bangladesh. Reports from August till now cite 23 deaths of Hindus in Bangladesh and 152 incidents of attack on Hindu temples.

Singh said that the concerns have been shared with the Government of Bangladesh. India's expectations regarding the safety of Hindus and other minorities were reiterated during the visit of the Foreign Secretary to Bangladesh on 09 December 2024.

On December 10, 2024, the Government of Bangladesh announced in a press briefing that 70 people had been arrested in 88 cases related to attacks against minorities in Bangladesh. Police investigations later confirmed 1254 incidents.

The minister reiterated that the primary responsibility of protecting the life and liberty of all citizens of Bangladesh, including minorities, lies with the Government of Bangladesh. Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina fled Bangladesh to India on August 5 following political turmoil. Thousands of members of minority communities have tried to enter India fearing persecution by the new government. Disputes have emerged at various places on the Bangladesh border after the formation of a caretaker government in Bangladesh led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus in August last year. India has also expressed concern over the targeting of Bangladesh's Hindu minorities amid emerging differences on several issues.