On August 5, following the fall of the Awami League government amid the quota reform movement in Bangladesh, attacks and repression against the minority Hindu community have escalated across various regions. Many have been killed, and numerous families have fled the country, seeking refuge in India.
Amid this climate of fear, another brutal attack took place late Tuesday night in the Hazari area of Chittagong, where the army and police targeted Hindus in a disturbing incident. This was not an attack by a mob but by the military and police forces. The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, has faced intense criticism for its failure to protect the country’s minorities. The incident highlights the government’s inability to ensure the safety of minority communities.
Local sources report that Hazari Goli in Chittagong is a predominantly Hindu commercial area. The violence began after a Muslim businessman posted on Facebook calling the ISKCON group a terrorist organization, sparking a strong reaction from the local Hindu community. In response, several local clerics came to support the Muslim businessman and attacked Hindus in the area. As tensions rose, the Bangladeshi army and police arrived and began indiscriminately beating the local Hindus with batons.
Though specific details on casualties are unclear, it is reported that over fifty Hindus, including men, women, and children, were injured. Many Hindus are said to have sought refuge in nearby buildings to escape the violence, while others were detained by authorities.
Videos that went viral on social media show the army and police, along with an angry mob, attacking Hindu-owned businesses. During the raids, valuable items, including gold jewelry, were looted. In an effort to erase evidence, the army was seen destroying CCTV cameras in the shops.
This attack has sparked widespread fear across Bangladesh, with news of the incident spreading quickly throughout the country.
There have been accusations that the media in Bangladesh has remained silent regarding the recent attacks on the Hindu community. Despite widespread reports of violence, many local news outlets have failed to cover or provide adequate attention to the incident, leading to criticism of their role in downplaying the severity of the situation.
Lim