The interim government of Bangladesh announced on January 19, 2025, that a significant majority of incidents involving minority communities last year were “criminal in nature” rather than communal. This statement follows India’s call for action against attacks on minorities, describing recent events as concerning and noting attempts to attribute these incidents to unrelated causes. This reaction comes in light of several killings of Hindu individuals in Bangladesh in recent weeks.
A detailed review of police records cited by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus’ office reported a total of 645 incidents involving minority communities throughout 2025. While acknowledging that each incident is troubling, the government asserted that a factual analysis reveals that most cases are rooted in criminal activities rather than communal strife. Out of the 645 incidents, only 71 were identified as having communal elements, which included instances of temple vandalism, arson, theft, murder, and other threats and provocations.
The remaining 574 incidents were attributed to criminal or social disputes unrelated to religious motivations, such as neighborhood conflicts, land disputes, theft, personal vendettas, rape, and unnatural deaths. Law enforcement registered 390 cases in this broader category, with numerous arrests made and additional preventative measures taken.
Despite the government’s insistence on this classification, Kajal Debnath, a leader of the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council (BHBCUC), questioned the government’s categorization of these incidents as non-communal. He expressed concerns that such statements could lead to a sense of impunity among criminals.
According to the 2022 census, approximately 13.13 million Hindus live in Bangladesh, constituting about 7.95% of the total population. The Buddhist population is around 1.01 million, Christians number nearly 500,000, and other religions, including Sikh and Animist communities, total approximately 200,000, which is about 0.12% of the population.
In recent weeks, the BHBCUC has raised alarms about rising communal violence, particularly as the general elections approach, scheduled for February 12. They claim that the violence aims to intimidate minority voters. The council reported 51 incidents of communal violence just in December 2025.
The interim government reiterated its commitment to ensuring safety and justice for all citizens-Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and individuals of other faiths-as a constitutional and ethical responsibility. In response to escalating violence against Hindus, Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal highlighted a disturbing trend of attacks on minorities and their properties by extremists, urging immediate and decisive action.
Relations between India and Bangladesh have been tense since the interim government, led by Yunus, took office following the downfall of Sheikh Hasina’s administration in August 2024, with India continually expressing worries about minority safety in Bangladesh.
Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2026/01/20/incidents-involving-minorities-mostly-non-communal-bdesh/
Category: INTERNATIONAL
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Publish Date: 2026-01-20 05:26:00
