Global Watch | Anti-Hindu Violence And The Struggle For Truth In Bangladesh
While political motivations may indeed influence some instances of unrest, to argue that violence is entirely devoid of communal underpinnings is to ignore historical and present realities

The year 2024 has proven to be a watershed moment for Bangladesh, marked by unprecedented upheaval that toppled Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year-long tenure as Prime Minister. A mass uprising, initially triggered by students’ protests against a contentious quota system, escalated into widespread dissent. Between 16 July and 11 August, the turmoil claimed approximately 650 lives. On 5 August, as chaos gripped the nation, Hasina was compelled to step down and abandon her residence, leaving a political vacuum in her wake. This descent into anarchy was accompanied by an economic meltdown, rampant looting, arson, and mob violence.
Among the worst affected were religious minorities, predominantly Hindus, who became targets of retributive attacks by enraged mobs accusing them of allegiance to Hasina’s Awami League (AL).
related stories
According to the 2022 Census, Hindus constitute roughly 7.95 per cent of Bangladesh’s population, while other minorities, such as Christians and Buddhists, account for less than 1 per cent. Historically, Hindus in Bangladesh, much like those in Pakistan, have faced systemic discrimination, forced migration, and periodic bouts of communal violence. In the chaos following Hasina’s ousting, this vulnerable community once again found itself subjected to brutal assaults. Reports of attacks on Hindus included looting, the desecration of temples, and the forcible occupation of properties. Fear and insecurity gripped the community as news outlets documented the relentless violence.
The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council (BHBCUC) reported over 2,000 communal incidents between 4 and 20 August. These included nine killings of Hindus and 69 attacks on their places of worship. The atrocities drew condemnation from the Indian government, opposition parties, and international leaders, including US President-elect Donald Trump. Demonstrations against the violence were held in both India and the United States.
However, as stories of anti-Hindu violence dominated the news and social media, a parallel narrative emerged through fact-checking platforms. These organisations, while occasionally debunking genuine misinformation, often seemed to downplay the scale and motives behind the attacks. For instance, the Sweden-based outlet Netra News challenged the BHBCUC’s figures, claiming that the violence was politically rather than communally motivated. This assertion relied on the premise that Hindus in Bangladesh have traditionally supported the Awami League.
Similarly, the Bangladeshi fact-checking organisation Rumor Scanner disputed Indian media’s portrayal of mob violence against Hindus. These platforms frequently amplified posts from obscure social media accounts, suggesting that the reports of communal violence were part of an Indian disinformation campaign aimed at destabilising Bangladesh. The repercussions of this narrative have been significant.
International media houses such as the BBC, Deutsche Welle, and Al Jazeera picked up these claims, further diluting the plight of Bangladeshi Hindus. This apparent attempt to whitewash the violence not only obscures the severity of the crisis but also fuels anti-India sentiment within Bangladesh. Such sentiment exacerbates the vulnerability of Hindus, who are already seen by many as proxies of Indian interests. This vilification campaign has turned attention away from the dire reality of Hindu persecution, which includes forced conversions, blasphemy, and systemic alienation.
A stark warning of this trend came from Dhaka University professor Dr Abul Barkat, who in 2016 predicted that Hindus could vanish from Bangladesh within 30 years if the current rates of exodus continue. The insistence by fact-checking platforms that the violence is merely political ignores decades of entrenched communal fault lines in Bangladesh. Even the interim government has admitted to 88 recorded incidents of communal violence targeting minorities since Hasina’s removal, with 70 arrests made in connection to these attacks. These figures alone debunk claims that religion played no role in the violence.
While political motivations may indeed influence some instances of unrest, to argue that violence is entirely devoid of communal underpinnings is to ignore historical and present realities. The persecution of minorities in Bangladesh has always been intertwined with their religious identity.
Attempts to deny or downplay this fact not only undermine the victims but also embolden perpetrators by fostering an environment of impunity. The denial of communal motives and the vilification of India as a propagator of disinformation serves to shift blame rather than address the root causes of the violence. In this context, the role of media and fact-checking platforms becomes critical.
Their narratives can either amplify the voices of the oppressed or contribute to their further marginalisation. By selectively questioning reports of violence, these platforms risk whitewashing the crisis and endangering minority communities even further. For Hindus in Bangladesh, the stakes could not be higher.
The international community must move beyond political expediency and acknowledge the systemic issues that drive such violence. Only then can meaningful steps be taken to protect vulnerable groups and promote communal harmony. Bangladesh’s journey towards stability demands a candid reckoning with its troubled history of religious intolerance. Denying the communal dimension of recent events not only betrays the country’s minorities but also undermines its broader aspirations for a just and inclusive society. The truth, however uncomfortable, must be confronted if the nation is to heal and progress. Failing to do so will only perpetuate cycles of violence and deepen the divisions that have long plagued this nation.
The writer is an author and columnist and has written several books. His X handle is @ArunAnandLive. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18’s views.
- Location :
- First Published: