Interim Government Takes Charge Amid Rising Violence Against Minorities

Following the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Bangladesh, the newly established interim government, under the leadership of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, has committed to addressing¹ the surge in violence against Hindus and other religious minorities. Hasina’s resignation, which marked the end of her 15-year rule, has reportedly led to attacks on Hindu households, temples, and businesses. The interim government has promised to take swift action to resolve these issues, in response to widespread protests and rising concerns for the safety of minority communities .

Ouster of Sheikh Hasina and Subsequent Violence

• Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned abruptly on Monday, ending her 15-year tenure in power .
• Reports have surfaced that, following her resignation and departure from the country, there have been numerous attacks on Hindus, who represent the largest minority faith in predominantly Muslim Bangladesh .
• Hindu communities, many of whom are supporters of Hasina’s party, the Awami League, have been targeted with destruction of homes, encroachment on temple land, arson, and looting .

Interim Government’s Response

• The new interim government, also referred to as the council of advisers, was officially sworn in on Thursday night .
• In its first official statement on Sunday, the interim cabinet expressed “grave concern” over the attacks on religious minorities .
• The cabinet announced that it would “immediately sit with the representative bodies and other concerned groups to find ways to resolve such heinous attacks” .

Protests and Public Outcry

• On Sunday, thousands of people participated in protests, calling for an end to violence against Hindu communities, as reported by the Dhaka Tribune .
• Protesters condemned the “destruction of homes, encroachment on temple land, arson, looting, and other forms of violence” .
• During a rally in Bogra, a Hindu speaker stated, “We are appalled by the attacks on Hindus, the torture and the vandalism of temples. It is the government’s responsibility to ensure our safety. We are citizens of this country and deserve to live securely” .

Government’s Immediate Actions and Priorities

• The interim government has placed high priority on addressing the attacks on religious minorities, alongside other urgent matters .
• The council of advisers, led by Muhammad Yunus, directed public funds to support the families of protesters killed in the demonstrations leading to Hasina’s departure .
• The government also allocated resources for those injured in the unrest, which began in July and resulted in over 300 deaths .
• Additionally, plans have been announced to reopen the metro system in Dhaka by the end of the week, and the appointment of a new central bank governor is forthcoming, replacing a Hasina loyalist who was forced to resign .

1. Source: Al Jazeera (https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/8/11/new-bangladesh-government-says-working-to-resolve-attacks-on-minorities ) ↩︎