BANGALURU, Dec 4 : The Hindu Hitarakshana Samiti of Karnataka on Wednesday submitted a memorandum to the President of India, Draupadi Murmu, expressing grave concern over the escalating persecution of Hindus and other marginalised communities in Bangladesh.
The memorandum warned that the rising violence and intolerance in Bangladesh was not only threatenening the nation’s secular foundations but also posed significant regional security risks to India.
The document detailed reports of increasing attacks on Hindus, including the destruction of temples, vandalism of homes, and violence against individuals, often targeting vulnerable groups such as women, children, and the elderly.
The destruction of cultural and secular symbols, including Hindu statues, is described as part of a broader radicalisation trend, reflecting a dangerous departure from Bangladesh’s historically pluralistic and secular ethos.
Additionally, radical groups are reportedly pressuring the education system to adopt religious conservatism and exerting influence on state institutions, as evidenced by the imposition of Islamic dress codes on female army personnel. These actions signal a shift towards Islamisation, eroding the country’s democratic principles, it claimed.
The memorandum highlighted the growing influence of extremist organisations like Hizb-ut-Tahrir, whose radical ideologies were being disseminated through social media and other platforms. This radicalisation is destabilising Bangladesh’s socio-political environment and endangering its secular and democratic ideals.
Since the formation of an Interim Government under Muhammad Yunus in August, the memorandum alleged, Bangladesh has witnessed an alarming rise in human rights violations. Reports of mob lynchings, politically motivated persecutions, and false charges against opposition figures have created an atmosphere of fear and insecurity.
The violence has not been confined to political opposition; religious minorities, particularly Hindus, have been systematically targeted. Attacks on women, including sexual harassment and assault, surged by 27% in September alone, while the transgender community has faced increasing violence and discrimination.
The memorandum also raised concerns about custodial deaths, noting several suspicious fatalities under state custody. Furthermore, the recent granting of magistracy powers to the military has amplified fears of widespread human rights abuses and the erosion of civilian governance.
A crackdown on political dissent has resulted in the arrest of numerous opposition leaders, particularly from the Awami League, alongside incidents of violence on court premises and attacks on public figures. These developments signify a severe breakdown of law and order and point to the Interim Government’s authoritarian tendencies.
The memorandum also draws attention to the growing influence of radical Islamic groups in Bangladesh, allegedly supported by Pakistan and China. These groups are perceived as a threat to the stability of India’s northeastern regions. Reports of military cooperation between Pakistan and Bangladesh, including potential nuclear collaboration, raise serious concerns about regional security.
The organisation called for urgent international intervention to protect Bangladesh’s Hindu minority and safeguard regional peace. It urged the Indian government and global institutions to take decisive action to prevent further violence and ensure the safety and dignity of religious minorities in Bangladesh. (UNI)
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