Bangladesh: Unity Council lists over 100 incidents against minorities since Hasina’s ouster as rioters, arsonists continue destruction

At least 24 people were killed in Bangladesh as rioters set a hotel, owned by an Awami League leader, on fire. The incident, which is one among many, took place on August 6, as per local media news. Bangladesh has been witnessing a growing number of attacks on minorities and Awami League members, the political party led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council has listed over 100 incidents in the last two days.

As per reports, protesters set fire to Zabir International Hotel, which was owned by district Awami League general secretary Shahin Chakkladar in Jessore district of the country. One Indian national, Shahid Ali, a resident of Assam, jumped from the hotel balcony, in a desperate attempt to save his life as he saw rioters torch the property. While he broke his legs, he was able to save himself.

25 people, mostly boarders, burnt alive after a mob set on fire Zabeer International Hotel in Jessore, #Bangladesh.
Reason?
Hotel belonged to Awami League MP Shahin Chakladar.
36-year-old Indian from Assam, Shahid Ali, jumped from the balcony, broke his bones, and escaped death.… pic.twitter.com/2cTMaY28dl

— Abhijit Majumder (@abhijitmajumder) August 7, 2024

Since Hasina’s abrupt resignation and exit from the country, several incidents of vandalism and arson attacks have been reported from the country. One of the communities who has come under attack is the minority Hindus. Mobs also set fire to popular Bangladeshi Hindu singer Rahul Ananda’s house in Dhaka, which was over 100 years old. The property housed over 3000 musical instruments, which were either looted by the mob or gutted by the blaze.

Protesting the attacks, the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council has revealed the list of atrocities carried out against the minorities in the country. The four-page official statement from the council, dated August 6th, mentions 102 cases, spread across August 5 and 6.

As per the document, incidents were reported from the following places in Bangladesh:

Sherpur, Khulna, Dinajpur, Feni, Narsingdi, Lakshmipur, Kishoreganj, Chittagong, Jessore, Satkhira, Habiganj, Narail, Bogra, Patuakhali, Panchagarh, Noakhali, Thakurgao, Jhenaidah, Pabna, Nilphamari, Tangail, Jhalokathi, Shariatpur, Lalmonirhat, Mymensingh, Netrokona, Munshiganj, Chandpur, Narayanganj, Faridpur, Pirojpur, Bagherhat, Jaipurhat, Manikganj, Dhaka, Sylhet, Brahmanbaria, and Comilla.

List released of attacks against Hindu communities today in Bangladesh after the government was toppled this morning.

Has anyone seen an English translation of the list?

It was released by the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council pic.twitter.com/MCWn41jtj0

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) August 5, 2024

In Dinajpur, rioters vandalised Hindu temples and forcefully claimed a wharf that was used by Hindus. Loot was carried out in Many houses belonging to the minorities in the district.

In Jessore, over 20 shops belonging to minorities were vandalised and looted.

• The Durga Temple in Feni was vandalised.
• Five temples, including the Parbatipur Kali Temple in Dinajpur, were vandalised.
• Three housed set on fire in Palpara village of Abhaynagar in Jessore.
• The residence of Dr Subrata Ghosh, central assistant organisational secretary of the Unity Council, was attacked and set on fire in Satkhira.
• Five to seven shops attacked and looted in Tilpotti, Borogola, in Bogra.
• Loot in 10 Hindu houses in Jhenaidah.
• Vandalism carried out in Ramkrishna Mission and ISKCON temples in Netrakona.
• Hindus were attacked and hacked with blades in Dengamari and Krishnapur in Faridpur, creatting fear amongst the community in the area.