Bangladeshis Defend Bengali Identity Amid Anti-Hindu Attacks

In a recent ground report by India Today TV, locals in Bangladesh have strongly condemned the violence against Hindus and vandalism of temples amid ongoing unrest. The turmoil followed weeks of deadly protests that led to the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Residents of Dhaka, who spoke with India Today TV, emphasized that the perpetrators of these attacks do not represent the true Bengali community. According to them, Jamaat-e-Islami, an Islamic party, seeks to establish an Islamic rule in Bangladesh, but this agenda is not supported by the broader Bengali-speaking populace.

“Recent events were deplorable. The attackers on Hindus and temples were not from our community. Jamaat wants Islamic rule, but the Bengali identity will remain intact,” a local resident asserted.

Another local expressed disappointment over Sheikh Hasina‘s handling of student protests, which initially focused on a controversial job quota system but evolved into a broader anti-government movement. The individual criticized Hasina’s response, stating that a more engaging dialogue was needed instead of repression.

The violence intensified on August 5 after Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to India, where she currently resides. During this period, Hindu homes and businesses, along with temples, were vandalized, looted, and set ablaze.

In response to the escalating violence, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called upon Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, now the chief adviser to the interim government, to ensure the safety of Hindus and other minority communities.

On Saturday, thousands of Hindus in Dhaka and Chattogram protested, demanding justice and protection. Yunus condemned the attacks on minorities, labeling them as “heinous” and affirming that restoring law and order is the top priority.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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