Sajeeb Wazed, the son of exiled former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has accused the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government of enabling a resurgence of extremism in Bangladesh, claiming it has reignited religious persecution against minority communities during one of the country’s most sacred festivals.
Wazed, who previously served as the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Advisor to the Prime Minister, warned that Hindu devotees are observing this year’s Durga Puja under an atmosphere of “fear and uncertainty,” as attacks on temples and intimidation of families have resurfaced.
Religious freedom under threat
“Durga Puja is a time of devotion and celebration, a festival that embodies the triumph of good over evil. Yet this year, our Hindu brothers and sisters in Bangladesh are observing the puja under fear and uncertainty. Under the Yunus regime, the rise of extremism has brought back the dark shadows of religious persecution,” Wazed said.
According to him, the situation marks a troubling reversal for Bangladesh, where Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians had gradually gained greater protections under the Awami League government. Wazed alleged that the extremists who once opposed Bangladesh’s independence in 1971 have now found renewed strength, emboldened to spread terror among minority communities and erode the secular principles that shaped the country’s founding.
History of Awami League support for minorities
Positioning the Awami League as the historical guardian of Bangladesh’s religious minorities, Wazed highlighted the party’s legacy of rebuilding temples destroyed during the 1971 Liberation War, defending religious freedoms, and introducing stronger measures to curb communal violence.
“Secularism and equality have always been at the heart of our politics, because Bangladesh was born from the vision of unity, not division,” he said.
Wazed underscored that the Awami League had sought to build a Bangladesh where every citizen, regardless of faith, could worship freely and live without fear of persecution.
Political assurances
In a pointed message of reassurance, Wazed asserted that the Awami League would return to power and restore a climate of safety and dignity for minority communities.
“As our Hindu brothers and sisters light lamps and offer prayers to Maa Durga, we cannot ignore the darkness of fear that surrounds them. But we also know that this darkness will not last,” he said. “Every Hindu, every minority, will celebrate their faith without fear, and live in this country with full dignity and freedom.”
Broader political context
Wazed’s remarks come amid heightened political turmoil in Bangladesh. Since August 2024, the country has been ruled by an interim administration led by Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, who assumed power following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina. Human rights groups and opposition voices have accused the government of systemic abuses, including attacks on Awami League supporters and growing communal violence targeting Hindus and other minority groups.
Durga Puja, celebrated by millions of Hindus across South Asia, carries immense cultural and religious significance in Bangladesh, where it is both a spiritual and social festival. But Wazed’s warning reflects a climate where minority religious practices have become vulnerable flashpoints in the nation’s ongoing political crisis.
