Bangladesh Protest: Anti-Hindu attacks grow amid political turmoil, several temples defaced

On Monday, an Indian cultural centre in Dhaka, Bangladesh, was vandalized by an unruly mob, and four Hindu temples across the country suffered minor damages, according to eyewitnesses and community leaders as reported by PTI. Kajol Debnath, leader of the Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, reported that while the damage to the temples was minor, the situation remains tense following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ouster.

The Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre, located in Dhaka's Dhanmondi area, was among the sites damaged by the protesters. Additionally, several key locations in Dhaka, including the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi 32, were set on fire. The museum, dedicated to Hasina's father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who was assassinated in 1975 while serving as president, was severely affected, according to the Dhaka Tribune.

The development comes as a massive protest forced Prime Minister Hasina to resign and leave Bangladesh. Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman announced that an interim government was being formed and urged protesters to end the violence. The resignation follows widespread demonstrations demanding her departure, triggered by a controversial government job quota system.


Protests and Casualties
The protests, initially focused on the job quota system, have resulted in nearly 300 deaths. Demonstrators have been calling for Hasina's resignation, and the unrest has led to violent clashes and significant upheaval. Reports indicate that thousands of protesters stormed the prime minister's palace, further escalating the crisis.

Following the disturbances, the government had also imposed an indefinite curfew starting from 6 pm on Sunday and announced a three-day closure of all establishments except essential services.

The clashes marked one of the deadliest days since the demonstrations began. To restore order, troops were deployed and seen firing blank shots in the sky to disperse the crowds, adhering to their promise not to use live ammunition. The chief of the army assured that normalcy would be restored within two days.

"It was a 'Bloody Sunday' today. Miscreants have turned the violence communal. Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube have been blocked," said Professor Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah, a political commentator from Bangladesh in a TOI report.

Prime Minister Hasina issued a stern warning to protesters who defy the curfew. Her cousin, Sheikh Sohel, had his house set ablaze by protesters, and a statue of Sheikh Mujibur Rehman was vandalized in the Rajbari district. The office of Beximco House, a major pharmaceutical company, was also set on fire.

“These kinds of protests are unprecedented in Dhaka; the opposition party is possibly being supported by a significant power outside the subcontinent that has always opposed the current government. Many narratives are circulating, but it's clear that the government would not want this turmoil to continue as it works against them. These are uncertain times, and one can only hope for peace," said a source from Bangladesh to TOI.

Meanwhile, student leaders are urging students from across the country to march to Dhaka on Monday, a day earlier than originally planned. "We want the students to carve out a future for Bangladesh. The revolution has already begun," said Pinaki Bhattacharya, an exiled Bangladeshi activist.

The government has ensured that essential services such as hospitals, water, gas, and electricity remain uninterrupted during the curfew and the closure of other establishments. Social media restrictions have been placed in an attempt to control the spread of violence.

Security Measures and Border Alert
In response to the situation, the Border Security Force (BSF) has issued a 'high alert' for all units along the 4,096 km India-Bangladesh border. Acting BSF Director General Daljit Singh Chawdhary and senior officials have arrived in Kolkata to assess and enhance border security.

(With inputs from TOI)