Bangladesh Home Minister apologizes to Hindu community, says failed to provide security

Attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh: Bangladesh’s new Home Advisor (Home Minister) Sakhawat Hossain on Sunday apologized to the Hindu community for not being able to provide them adequate security. According to media reports, he said that it is the duty of the Muslim majority to protect the Hindu minority. He admitted failure in this responsibility. He assured the community of security in the future and expressed hope for improvement. 

Apart from this, the interim cabinet gave its first statement on violence against minorities on Sunday after the swearing-in of its members on Thursday night. The statement said, ‘Attacks on religious minorities in some places have been observed with serious concern.’

The Cabinet said it would immediately hold meetings with representative bodies and other concerned groups to find ways to resolve such heinous attacks.’

Attacks on Hindus after Sheikh Hasina left the country

According to PTI Bhasha, Bangladeshi Hindus are facing violence and looting after Sheikh Hasina resigned from the post of Prime Minister and fled to India on Monday. Many Hindu temples, houses and business establishments have been vandalized. At least two Hindu leaders associated with the Awami League party of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have been killed in the violence.

Thousands of members of the minority Hindu community
held massive protests in Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka and the northeastern port city of Chittagong for the second consecutive day on Saturday, demanding security amid attacks on temples, their homes and businesses across the country.

The protesting Hindu community members were demanding the establishment of special tribunals to expedite the trial of those who persecute minorities, 10 percent parliamentary seats for minorities, implementation of Minority Protection Act, etc.

205 incidents of persecution in 52 districts
According to the ‘Dhaka Tribune’ newspaper, Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Oikya Parishad, a leading organization advocating the rights of minorities, has issued an open letter to Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus. It details 205 incidents of persecution in 52 districts since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government on August 5.

On Saturday, the protesters presented an eight-point charter of demands. This includes the establishment of special tribunals to expedite trials of those who perpetrate atrocities on minorities, compensation to the victims and immediate implementation of the Minority Protection Act.