August 6, 2024: Following the resignation and flight of the now former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, the nation has witnessed an extraordinary display of unity and protection towards minority communities. In response to a call from Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami (BJI) to safeguard religious minorities and their places of worship, citizens from diverse backgrounds, including members of the BJI’s student wing, Islami Chhatrashibir, have come together to protect Hindu temples across Bangladesh.
Amid fears of potential communal tensions fueled by factions loyal to the Awami League, Sheikh Hasina’s political party, vigilant citizens took preemptive measures to maintain peace. Prominent temples like the ISKCON temple and various others across the country have seen scenes of solidarity, with individuals patrolling and staying alert to ensure the safety of minority communities, reported the Hindustan Gazette. This collective effort underscores the nation’s commitment to protecting minority interests and maintaining communal harmony during a time of political uncertainty.
After Sheikh Hasina fled the country, visuals emerged of people ransacking her official residence and demolishing the statue of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. According to the Dhaka Tribune, at least 135 people were killed in the countrywide violence on Monday.
Social media saw a surge of support for the Hindu community with the hashtag #AllEyesOnBangladeshiHindus trending. Student leaders and political figures have rallied to call for an end to violence and vandalism, demanding the protection of religious minorities.
The coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement announced an outline for an interim government headed by Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus and appealed for the protection of Hindus. Indian fact-checker Mohammed Zubair shared a thread on X, highlighting the efforts of local Muslims stepping in to protect temples, which included a tweet from BJI emphasizing their role in ensuring peace and protection: [Tweet from BJI].
Reports indicate that mobs targeted Awami League members, but there have been no substantiated reports of attacks on Hindus. Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin has approved the release of all students recently arrested during the ongoing quota reform movement. Videos have shown announcements made through microphones from mosques, asking people to refrain from any vandalism as the nation navigates a power vacuum.
Sheikh Hasina has taken refuge in India and awaits approval to flee to the United Kingdom in the coming days, as reported by Indian news organizations. Meanwhile, India’s Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, convened a meeting to discuss the situation in Bangladesh. Attendees included NSA Ajit Doval, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar, and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
Bangladesh’s Muslim scholars are also playing a crucial role in maintaining peace. For instance, Muslim scholars in Cumilla have voluntarily guarded a Hindu temple following reports of attacks on Hindu communities and their places of worship. Leaders of Chhatra Shibir’s Chattogram City South Branch have been actively protecting temples and properties belonging to Hindu brethren, as well as places of worship for various minority communities across the country.
This remarkable show of solidarity from Bangladeshi Muslims in safeguarding Hindu temples and minority communities highlights the nation’s dedication to communal harmony and the protection of minority rights during this tumultuous period.
