Rights groups in Bangladesh have accused the interim government, led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, of ignoring a disturbing surge in violence against religious minorities and shielding perpetrators from justice. The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council said on Thursday that it had recorded 2,442 incidents of communal violence between August 2024 and June 2025—many of them involving killings, sexual assaults, arson, and the destruction of places of worship and property.
The group alleges that these attacks intensified following the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina last year and have continued under the current administration. “The accused are enjoying impunity,” said Monindra Kumar Nath, the council’s acting general secretary, adding that the authorities have repeatedly dismissed their concerns as fabricated or politically motivated, despite compelling evidence. Yunus’ office has acknowledged only 88 cases of violence and claims 70 people have been arrested.
Council leaders say religious minorities, who make up around 10% of Bangladesh’s population of 170 million, have been systematically excluded from national reform processes. “No representative from minority groups has been included in any commission meant to ensure equality,” Nath said. Others pointed to a long history of marginalisation since the country’s independence in 1971. “We hoped for better under a Nobel Peace Prize winner, but we have only seen continued neglect,” said Kajal Debnath, a council member.
On May 22, following a murder unrelated to the minority community, attackers targeted the homes of 20 minority families, looting, burning property, and allegedly assaulting women. Despite a police case being filed, no arrests have been made in the five weeks since, according to the council. Many victims have fled or gone into hiding, and vital documents such as house deeds and ID cards were destroyed.
India has taken note of the situation. The ministry of external affairs reportedly told a parliamentary panel that the Yunus government is downplaying the scale of violence, which it blames on political motives rather than communal targeting. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri warned that extremist groups are filling the power vacuum left by Hasina’s exit, leading to increased religious radicalisation. The Indian government has called for action against those responsible for anti-minority violence and for Bangladesh to uphold its commitments to religious freedom.
The group alleges that these attacks intensified following the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina last year and have continued under the current administration. “The accused are enjoying impunity,” said Monindra Kumar Nath, the council’s acting general secretary, adding that the authorities have repeatedly dismissed their concerns as fabricated or politically motivated, despite compelling evidence. Yunus’ office has acknowledged only 88 cases of violence and claims 70 people have been arrested.
Council leaders say religious minorities, who make up around 10% of Bangladesh’s population of 170 million, have been systematically excluded from national reform processes. “No representative from minority groups has been included in any commission meant to ensure equality,” Nath said. Others pointed to a long history of marginalisation since the country’s independence in 1971. “We hoped for better under a Nobel Peace Prize winner, but we have only seen continued neglect,” said Kajal Debnath, a council member.
On May 22, following a murder unrelated to the minority community, attackers targeted the homes of 20 minority families, looting, burning property, and allegedly assaulting women. Despite a police case being filed, no arrests have been made in the five weeks since, according to the council. Many victims have fled or gone into hiding, and vital documents such as house deeds and ID cards were destroyed.
India has taken note of the situation. The ministry of external affairs reportedly told a parliamentary panel that the Yunus government is downplaying the scale of violence, which it blames on political motives rather than communal targeting. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri warned that extremist groups are filling the power vacuum left by Hasina’s exit, leading to increased religious radicalisation. The Indian government has called for action against those responsible for anti-minority violence and for Bangladesh to uphold its commitments to religious freedom.
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