Dhaka, Bangladesh —
Religious minorities in Bangladesh are living in a climate of fear ahead of the upcoming national election, with growing concern that violence and repression may intensify after polling day, according to a recent survey and rights advocates.
A survey conducted by the Center for Governance Studies (CGS) among 505 members of minority communities found that more than 50 percent are worried about the upcoming election, while over 25 percent say they feel personally unsafe.
Minority leaders and activists argue that these figures understate the reality, claiming that fear has become nearly universal since the violent unrest of July 2024, which followed the fall of the previous elected government.
The July violence — which included attacks, arson, looting of homes, and vandalism of religious institutions belonging to Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, and other minority communities — has yet to see meaningful accountability. No major prosecutions have taken place, and critics allege that many of those involved are now operating under political protection.
Several political groups accused of playing active roles during the July riots are now preparing to contest the election, raising alarm among minority communities. Rights groups say some candidates have continued to use openly communal rhetoric, while authorities have taken little visible action in response.
The interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, which assumed power after the collapse of the previous administration, has faced sustained criticism over its legitimacy and governance capacity. Opponents allege the government came to power through an unconstitutional process, backed by foreign interests, Islamist groups, and elements within the security establishment—claims the government has denied.
Economist Debapriya Bhattacharya recently warned that the interim administration’s capacity to govern has reached its limits. Minority advocates argue the situation is even more severe, claiming the government never possessed the institutional legitimacy or political will required to ensure inclusive governance or a credible election.
“The fear we see among minorities is not abstract,” said a minority rights activist in Dhaka, speaking on condition of anonymity. “It is rooted in lived experience — in attacks that were never punished and in the normalization of hate.
”Historical patterns in Bangladesh have shown that post-election periods often coincide with increased attacks on minority communities. Observers warn that the current situation is particularly volatile because groups accused of communal violence now appear emboldened, while the state’s response remains muted.
Critics argue that the government’s silence in the face of communal threats amounts to tacit approval, further eroding trust among minorities. They say a genuinely inclusive election cannot take place when a significant segment of the population fears violence simply for participating in the democratic process.
As the February 12 election approaches, minority communities say their anxiety extends beyond voting day itself. Many fear that the aftermath of the election could bring renewed waves of violence, with little expectation of protection or justice.
“When an entire community lives in fear,” one rights advocate said, “democracy becomes a slogan rather than a reality.”
