The current developments in Bangladesh have raised serious questions on the future of the Hindu community.
The demand of closure of ISKCON temple by Islamic fundamentalists and increasing atrocities on Hindus are presenting a worrying picture.
The last few decades have seen a dramatic decline in the population of Hindu Bangladeshis. When Bangladesh was formed in 1971, the population of Hindus there was 20 percent of the total population.
Now it has reduced to only 8 percent. Those responsible for this are those who support Islamic extremism, many of whom are also involved in domestic terrorism.
Painful stories of Hindus of Bangladesh
The story of the Hindu community of Bangladesh has been one of great pain and struggle, especially after the partition of 1947 and the Bangladesh War of Independence in 1971. The partition of Bangladesh and the freedom struggle was not only an issue of politics, but it was also a question of conflict of religion, culture and identity.
These events deeply affected the situation of the Hindu community in Bangladesh. According to the Hindu American Foundation report, 1.13 crore Hindus have fled Bangladesh due to religious persecution and intolerance between 1964 and 2013. Every year an additional 230,000 Hindus leave Bangladesh. The story of oppression of Hindus in the neighboring country is decades old.
partition of 1947
The Partition of India (1947) brought conflict and riots between the Hindu and Muslim communities, resulting in millions of people being forced to leave their homes. Hindus also faced severe persecution in Bangladesh (then known as East Pakistan).
Bengali speaking people were in majority in East Pakistan and they suffered from the neglect and exploitation of West Pakistan. After Partition, millions of Hindus were forced to leave their homes and properties and migrate to different parts of India.
1971 independence struggle and conflict
The Bangladesh War of Independence took place in 1971 during the process of separation from Pakistan, in which the citizens of Bangladesh took up arms against Pakistan.
Bengali nationalism and cultural identity had a major contribution in this movement. When Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s party, the Awami League, won a majority in the 1970 general elections, the West Pakistan Army refused to hand over power. After this, Bangladesh Liberation War started in 1971.
The Hindu community was especially targeted during this war. The Pakistani army and their allied forces subjected Hindu civilians to extreme violence, including rape, murder and looting. The incidents of rape of Hindu women especially increased during this time. Thousands of Hindu families were forced from their homes and millions fled to India to seek refuge.
Contribution of Hindus in the independence of Bangladesh
The Hindu community played an important role in the freedom struggle of Bangladesh. At that time 19-20% of the population of East Pakistan was Hindu. The Hindu community strengthened the movement in the economic, cultural and educational fields. Apart from this, there were also a large number of Hindu soldiers in the Mukti Bahini. Bangladesh was established in 1971 with military help from India.
Still oppression of Hindus continued
During the 1971 war, many people of the Hindu community lost their land, properties, houses, and assets. Hindu temples, places of worship and cultural heritage were also destroyed in Bangladesh.
In addition, several Hindu religious leaders and social workers were also targeted. In 1971, the share of Hindus in the total population of Bangladesh was about 20%. But today it has come down to only around 8%.
Reason
Islamic fundamentalism and social discrimination have been a major reason. From promoting religious conversions through social media platforms to promoting extremism through sectarian religious practices, Islamic extremists are fueling inter-community violence.
They target Hindus through forced conversions, sexual assaults, kidnappings and suicide bombings. Apart from this, laws like ‘Vested Property Act’ were enacted in 1974, due to which the lands and properties of Hindus were snatched away.
Under this, the Government of Bangladesh had the option to take possession of the property of those Hindus who fled the country or were driven away. Under this law, the government there took possession of lakhs of acres of land.
This rule changed only a few years ago. Due to riots and atrocities, a large number of Hindus had to flee to India. Recent events have further accelerated the decline in the population of Hindus.
Current situation: democracy and minority crisis
Under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh made efforts towards secularism. However, the condition of Hindus is worsening under the interim rule of Nobel laureate Mohammad Yunus after the fall of his government.
Attacks on minorities and the rise of Islamic fundamentalism
Hindu temples and statues are being targeted. There is a demand to ban ISKCON temple. The increasing influence of religious fundamentalists is creating an atmosphere of fear for the Hindu community.
Role of India and international community
Although the Hindu community is still present in Bangladesh, their situation is still challenging. Even though Bangladesh has the right to religious freedom, the Hindu community still faces many types of discrimination and oppression.
Attacks on temples, communal violence, loss of land and violence against religious minorities are still occurring in Bangladesh.
India has always advocated the rights of minorities in Bangladesh. India also played an active role in the formation of Bangladesh in 1971. Today there is a need that India and the international community put pressure on the Bangladesh government so that minorities can get protection and equal rights.
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