Bangladesh’s Religious Minorities Under Attack: 174 Incidents, 23 Dead in Less Than Five Months

Dhaka, January 30, 2025 — A recent report by the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council has revealed a disturbing rise in communal violence against religious minorities. Between August 21 and December 31, 2024, the country witnessed 174 attacks, resulting in 23 deaths. The findings, presented at a press conference at the National Press Club, highlight a growing crisis of persecution and discrimination.

Escalating Violence and Systematic Persecution

The report documents a series of brutal incidents, including killings, sexual assaults, and attacks on places of worship. Key findings include:

• 23 murders linked to communal violence.
• 9 cases of sexual violence.
• 64 attacks on temples, churches, and monasteries.
• Multiple cases of arson, looting, and forced evictions.

According to Monindra Kumar Nath, acting general secretary of the Unity Council, these attacks are not isolated but part of an organized effort to intimidate and marginalize religious minorities. “Despite attempts to downplay the crisis, the evidence is undeniable—religious minorities are under siege,” he stated.

Government Inaction and Institutional Discrimination

The report also exposes discriminatory practices within state institutions, including:

• The dismissal of 103 minority police cadet sub-inspectors out of 321 terminations.
• The exclusion of 82 minority candidates from the 43rd Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) exams.

The Council argues that these actions are politically motivated and aimed at reducing minority representation in government. “The government’s claims of meritocracy are a smokescreen for systemic exclusion,” the report stated.

Threat to Secularism and Constitutional Integrity

Concerns are also growing over proposed constitutional amendments that could remove secularism as a guiding principle. The Council warns that such changes could fuel extremist ideologies and deepen religious divides.

“Eliminating secularism is not just a shift in policy—it is an existential threat to the identity of Bangladesh,” the Council asserted.

Eight Demands for Immediate Action

To address these growing concerns, the Council has put forward eight key demands:

1. End institutional discrimination and ensure fair representation of minorities in government.
2. Stop politically motivated legal actions against minority leaders.
3. Hold perpetrators of communal violence accountable through swift legal action.
4. Prevent illegal land grabs targeting minority-owned properties.
5. Implement anti-discrimination laws to protect minority rights.
6. Ensure justice and protection for victims of sexual violence.
7. Take immediate steps to prevent attacks on places of worship.
8. Retain secularism as a fundamental constitutional principle.

Bangladesh at a Crossroads

The Unity Council warns that Bangladesh is at a turning point. The country must decide whether to uphold its founding principles of justice, dignity, and religious coexistence or allow intolerance to erode its democratic fabric.

“This is not just about minority rights. It is about the future of Bangladesh—whether we remain an inclusive society or succumb to exclusion and oppression,” the Council stated.

With rising violence and growing concerns over state complicity, pressure is mounting on the government to take immediate action to protect religious minorities and uphold constitutional secularism.

***