2014 Bangladesh anti-Hindu violence

Anti-Hindu Violence Anti-Hinduism July 2023 On 5 January 2014, the 10th general elections were held in Bangladesh. The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party and its ally Jamaat-e-Islami had already boycotted the elections. The buildup to the elections was marred by successive strikes and violence by the opposition parties. Victims claimed that after the polls, workers and supporters of the opposition parties began attacking the minority Bengali Hindus. People were accused of looting, vandalising and setting the Hindu houses on fire in several districts across the country.Parveen Shahnaz 7 January 2014 bn:বিভিন্ন জেলায় হিন্দুদের বাড়িঘরে হামলার পর আতঙ্ক https://www.bbc.com/bengali/news/2014/01/140107_mrk_bangladesh_minority_hindu_attack_election_ 9 January 2014 BBC Bangla Dhaka Bengali 8 January 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140108211138/http://www.bbc.co.uk/bengali/news/2014/01/140107_mrk_bangladesh_minority_hindu_attack_election_.shtml live Seven persons belonging to the Jamaat-e-Islami and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party were arrested in connection with the attacks.7 January 2014 Seven arrested for attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/seven-arrested-for-attacks-on-hindus-in-bangladesh-468228 9 January 2014 NDTV New Delhi 8 January 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140108053519/http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/seven-arrested-for-attacks-on-hindus-in-bangladesh-468228 live The National Human Rights Commission held the government responsible for the attacks on Hindus after the election.Habib Haroon 9 January 2014 Will act against those attacking minorities: Sheikh Hasina https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/south-asia/will-act-against-those-attacking-minorities-sheikh-hasina/article5557890.ece 10 January 2014 The Hindu 10 January 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140110142219/http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/south-asia/will-act-against-those-attacking-minorities-sheikh-hasina/article5557890.ece live In India, the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party condemned the attacks on minorities.Ghosh Shubhajyoti 8 January 2014 bn:সুপরিকল্পিতভাবে হিন্দুদের ওপর আক্রমণ হচ্ছে: বিজেপি https://www.bbc.com/bengali/news/2014/01/140108_fa_sg_bjp_conf 9 January 2014 BBC Bangla New Delhi Bengali 9 January 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140109185723/http://www.bbc.co.uk/bengali/news/2014/01/140108_fa_sg_bjp_conf.shtml live Attacks Chittagong Division On 5 January, in the evening, Hindus were attacked in the Satkania Upazila, Lohagara Upazila, and Banshkhali Upazila of Chittagong District. Cadres of Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir set at least 150 Hindu houses on fire.9 January 2014 Attacks on minorities continue http://www.clickittefaq.com/more-stories/attacks-minorities-continue/ dead https://web.archive.org/web/20140110191737/http://www.clickittefaq.com/more-stories/attacks-minorities-continue/ 10 January 2014 10 January 2014 The Daily Ittefaq Dhaka In Lohagara Upazila, activists of Jamaat-e-Islami and BNP looted and vandalised shops belonging to Hindus in Hindur Hat in the Kolujan area.7 January 2014 Hindus under threat http://www.thedailystar.net/hindus-under-threat-5781 10 January 2014 The Daily Star Dhaka 9 January 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140109222012/http://www.thedailystar.net/hindus-under-threat-5781 live They also attempted to vandalise a Hindu temple. In Lakshmipur District, on 9 January at night, a Kali temple in Narayanpur village under Ramganj Upazila was set on fire.11 January 2014 Protests continue, more temples burnt, stolen http://old-archives.newagebd.net/detail.php?date=2014-01-11&nid=80020 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20160604050949/http://old-archives.newagebd.net/detail.php?date=2014-01-11&nid=80020 4 June 2016 11 January 2014 New Age Dhaka In Sonagazi Upazila of Feni District, Islamic fundamentalists burnt Shree Shree Dakshinashwer temple on 16 January. They also looted valuable things from the temple.17 January 2014 bn:এবার ফেনী বাগেরহাটে মন্দিরে হামলা আগুন The temple fire in Bagerhat, Feni http://www.bd-pratidin.com/2014/01/17/38243 https://web.archive.org/web/20140121102334/http://www.bd-pratidin.com/2014/01/17/38243 21 January 2014 Bangladesh Pratidin bn Dhaka Division In Netrakona District, a Kali temple was vandalised and set on fire after midnight on 7 January.8 January 2014 Hindu temple in Bangladesh vandalised https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/south-asia/hindu-temple-in-bangladesh-vandalised/article5553487.ece 11 January 2014 The Hindu 11 January 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140111053220/http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/south-asia/hindu-temple-in-bangladesh-vandalised/article5553487.ece live In Bade-dudhkora village of Netrokona Sadar Upazila, Islamist fundamentalists burnt another Kali temple. The temple was situated at the house of Mr. Chandan, who was a member of the local union parishad.13 January 2014 bn:চার জেলায় আরও মন্দির বাড়িতে আগুন, হামলা Four district, home to the Temple of Fire, Assault http://www.prothom-alo.com/bangladesh/article/122253/%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%9C%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A7%9F-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%93-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A7%9C%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%97%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE dead https://web.archive.org/web/20151126231216/http://www.prothom-alo.com/bangladesh/article/122253/%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%9C%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A7%9F-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%93-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A7%9C%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%97%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE 26 November 2015 24 November 2015 Prothom Alo bn In Gazipur District, unidentified miscreants set fire to the homestead of a Hindu family in the Bhakoadi Malibari area under Chandpur Union of Kapasia Upazila in the wee hours of 10 January.Jinnah Shaikh Shafiuddin 10 January 2014 bn:কাপাসিয়ায় হিন্দু বাড়িতে আগুন http://www.bd-pratidin.com/2014/01/10/37152 https://web.archive.org/web/20140801072812/http://www.bd-pratidin.com/2014/01/10/37152 1 August 2014 11 January 2014 Bangladesh Pratidin Dhaka Bengali In Dhaka City Corporation South, International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Temple at Swamibagh, which is also ISKCON headquarters in Bangladesh, is attacked by more than 100 Muslims at about 10:20 pm (local time) on 30 June 2014. Khulna Division In Abhaynagar Upazila of Jessore District, at around 10 am on 5 January, 70 to 80 workers of the opposition parties hacked five Hindu men for casting their votes.Hossain Emran 7 January 2014 Obhoynagar reminds of '71 horrors http://www.dhakatribune.com/crime/2014/jan/07/obhoynagar-reminds-%E2%80%9971-horrors 11 January 2014 Dhaka Tribune 10 January 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140110203758/http://www.dhakatribune.com/crime/2014/jan/07/obhoynagar-reminds-%E2%80%9971-horrors live As the police fired in the air to save the victims, the attackers fled, threatening to return with dire consequences. At around 6 pm, around 250 workers of the Jamaat-e-Islami and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, armed with sharp weapons and sticks, attacked the Hindu-inhabited Malopara village, where they vandalised 130 houses and set another 10 on fire.6 January 2014 Terror on Hindus https://www.thedailystar.net/terror-on-hindus-5670 9 January 2014 The Daily Star Dhaka The activists of Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir, armed with firearms, Molotov cocktails, machetes, iron rods, and sticks, chased the Hindus, when about 100 of them jumped into the Bhairab River and swam to the other side. The coconut and banana trees were either chopped or burnt. The cowsheds were burnt. Idols were desecrated. At least 20 persons were injured in the attack. Around 600 Hindus from the village swam across the Bhairab and took shelter in the Diyapara village under Sridhar Union. On 7 January at night, masked men raided two Hindu houses in Hajrail Rishipalli of Manirampur Upazila in Jessore District. They held the men hostage and gang-raped two housewives.10 January 2014 2 Hindu housewives violated http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2014/01/10/2-hindu-housewives-violated 10 January 2014 bdnews24.com 12 January 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140112202947/http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2014/01/10/2-hindu-housewives-violated liveIslam Sayedul 10 January 2014 bn:নির্বাচনী সহিংসতায় হিন্দু নারীকে ধর্ষণের অভিযোগ https://www.bbc.com/bengali/news/2014/01/140110_mrk_bangladesh_hindu_violence_minority 11 January 2014 BBC Bangla Bengali In Bagerhat District, one Radha Govinda temple and one Kali temple were set on fire on the night of 8 January in Kachubunia in Morrelganj Upazila. On 9 January, Radhagobinda Sebashram of Ramchandrapur and Shree Shree Shyma temple were burnt by islami fundamentalists. In Morrelganj Upazila again, Islamic fundamentalists burnt saswati puja mandap of Rdha Gobinda temple on 16 January. In Magura District, gold ornaments and money were stolen from two Hindu temples in the Satdoha area of Magura town in Magura Sadar Upazila on 10 January.10 January 2014 Temple ornaments stolen http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2014/01/10/temple-ornaments-stolen 11 January 2014 bdnews24.com 10 January 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140110203411/http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2014/01/10/temple-ornaments-stolen live Miscreants broke into the two temples of Sri Sri Nengta Babar Ashram in the wee hours and took away gold and silver ornaments and the cash from the donation box.10 January 2014 Ornaments, money stolen from Magura temples http://www.bssnews.net/newsDetails.php?cat=4&id=382120&date=2014-01-10 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20140111132750/http://www1.bssnews.net/newsDetails.php?cat=4&id=382120&date=2014-01-10 11 January 2014 11 January 2014 Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha In Satkhira District, 46 houses and establishments belonging to Hindus were vandalised and another six were set on fire on the night of 5 January. The miscreants accused the Hindus of voting for the Awami League. Rangpur Division On 5 January in the morning, hundreds of workers of the opposition parties attacked Kornai village in Sadar Upazila of Dinajpur District. They looted eight Hindu-owned shops and 12 Hindu houses and set them on fire.6 January 2014 bn:দিনাজপুরে সংখ্যালঘুদের বাড়ি দোকানে হামলা অগ্নিসংযোগ লুট http://www.ittefaq.com.bd/index.php?ref=MjBfMDFfMDZfMTRfMV8xMl8xXzk5MTA0 9 January 2014 Daily Ittefaq Dhaka Bengali 10 January 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140110150657/http://www.ittefaq.com.bd/index.php?ref=MjBfMDFfMDZfMTRfMV8xMl8xXzk5MTA0 live On 7 January at night, activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and the Jamaat-e-Islami destroyed two houses and five shops belonging to the Hindus in Kuptola Union of Gaibandha Sadar Upazila in Gaibandha District. Five persons were injured in the attack. In Lalmonirhat District, Hindus by and large abstained from voting, due to threats from the opposition parties coupled with a lack of security from the administration. According to the general secretary of Lalmonirhat Puja Udjapan Parishad, only 4–5% of the Hindus had cast their votes in the district. More than 100 Hindu families of Shafinagar and Senpara villages were threatened by Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir after the polls. On 8 January, the house of the caretaker of a Hindu temple in Shafinagar was set on fire. In Thakurgaon District, around 1,200 Hindus from 500 Hindu families of Gopalpur village took shelter in an ISKCON temple. Rajshahi Division In Bogra District, activists of Jamaat-e-Islami and BNP attacked the Hindus in Nandigram Upazila. In Joypurhat District, one Hindu house was set on fire in Kusumba Union of Joypurhat Sadar Upazila. One elderly person died of a heart attack due to panic from the fire. The Hindus of Boalia village under Sukash Union of Natore District were threatened not to vote in the elections. In spite of the threats, three Hindus cast their votes on 5 January. After the polls, their houses were set on fire. Islamists fundamentalists again attacked in Nandigram Upazila of Bogra District. On 12 January, after the national election, they set on fire some haystacks and some houses and looted a tube well of Hindu families. Barisal Division In Barisal District, a Hindu family was kicked out of their house,11 January 2014 bn:সংখ্যালঘু পরিবারকে মারধর করে ভিটেমাটিছাড়া Bhitematichara beating minority families http://www.prothom-alo.com/bangladesh/article/120564/%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%96%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%98%E0%A7%81_%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%87_%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%A7%E0%A6%B0_%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87_%E0%A6%AD%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%9F%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%9B%E0%A6%BE%E0%A7%9C%E0%A6%BE https://archive.today/20140111161332/http://www.prothom-alo.com/bangladesh/article/120564/%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%96%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%98%E0%A7%81_%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%87_%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%A7%E0%A6%B0_%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87_%E0%A6%AD%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%9F%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%9B%E0%A6%BE%E0%A7%9C%E0%A6%BE 11 January 2014 Prothom Alo bn situated in Thaneshwarkathi village of Agailjhara Upazila. A Jubo League cadre of the present government party, the Awami League, came to take possession of Mr. Tapan Sarker's house with a gang of terrorists. Then they beat Mr. Tapan and their family members. After that the family took shelter in a classroom of a nearby primary school. In Bhandaria Upazila of Pirojpur District, Islamic fundamentalists burnt an ancient Durga temple on 12 January after the 5 January national election of Bangladesh. Those fundamentalists burnt that temple to ashes. Government version On 23 February 2014, The Daily Star, a national English newspaper, published a summary report submitted by the police authority to the country's High Court. According to this report, around 160 incidents of attacks and atrocities on Hindus took place in 21 districts after the 5 January parliamentary polls, causing loss of Hindu properties worth ৳4 million. Such atrocities included injuring Hindu people, damaging their houses, temples and business establishments and setting them on fire, and looting valuables causing a loss of around ৳4 million in 70 of those attacks.Sarkar Ashutosh 23 February 2014 Police cite 160 attacks on Hindus https://www.thedailystar.net/police-cite-160-attacks-on-hindus-12578 The Daily Star Reactions Domestic Khaleda Zia, the former leader of the opposition, denied any involvement of her Bangladesh Nationalist Party and ally Jamaat-e-Islami in the post-poll attack on the minority Hindu people. According to Mizanur Rahman, the chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, the Bangladesh government failed to prevent the attacks on Hindus after the election. The Gonojagoron Mancha started the largest anti-communal Road March at 7:30 am on 10 January from Shahbagh in the capital to Jessore to visit the Hindus who were attacked, allegedly by Jamaat-Shibir men, at Malopara of Abhaynagar in the district. Another road march on 17 January towards Thakurgaon district of northern Bangladesh. The mancha also started street rallies at Jahangirnagar University at 10:00 am, Manikganj at 11:00 am, Modhukhali of Faridpur at 4:00 pm, and Magura at 5:00 pm on that day. Spokesperson Imran H Sarker told a press conference in its temporary tent in Shahbagh.10 January 2014 Gonojagoron Mancha starts road march to Jessore today http://www.thedailystar.net/gonojagoron-mancha-starts-road-march-to-jessore-today-6221 The Daily Star 24 November 2015 25 November 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151125090923/http://www.thedailystar.net/gonojagoron-mancha-starts-road-march-to-jessore-today-6221 live Human rights organisation Ain O Salish Kendra issued a statement against the assaults. They called for quick alleviation and restoration for the individuals who were harmed. Marked by its executive director, Mohammad Nur Khan, the association's announcement said the affected individuals were leaving their homes because of the absence of security.Attacks on Hindu communities continue http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2014/jan/10/attacks-hindu-communities-continue 29 May 2015 Dhaka Tribune 30 May 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150530011116/http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2014/jan/10/attacks-hindu-communities-continue live Karmojibi Nari (working women), an NGO for women's rights, made a human chain to request security for the Hindu community in Bangladesh and penalty for the individuals or groups behind the attacks on the Hindu community. In Rangamati, the Sanatan Jubo Parishad and Puja Udjapon Committee requested the prompt capture and commendable discipline for the aggressors. In Sherpur, Bangladesh, the Garo Students Association made a human chain, requesting punishment for the individuals who assaulted the Hindu groups, and in addition, security to be guaranteed for all minorities. Bangladesh Islami Andolon chairman Syed Mohammad Rezaul Karim likewise communicated concern and bitterness regarding the assaults on the Hindu groups and individuals. Three hundred and fifty-one educators who are ideologically aligned with BNP and Jamaat at Rajshahi University censured the assaults on minority groups and requested a fair and free inquiry under the supervision of the United Nations. Dhaka University Teachers Association (DUTA) created a human chain, requesting quick action against those who have been killing individuals, assaulting minorities, and destroying religious establishments and government property. International In India, the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party expressed concerns over violence against Hindus in Bangladesh.8 January 2014 BJP concerned over violence against Hindus in Bangladesh https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bjp-concerned-over-violence-against-hindus-in-bangladesh/article5553771.ece 11 January 2014 The Hindu Arrests Seven persons have been arrested in connection with the attacks. The Bangladesh government has decided to set up special tribunals to punish the perpetrators of crimes against the minority communities, including the Hindus.Banerjie Monideepa 10 January 2014 Widespread attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh on polling day http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/widespread-attacks-on-hindus-in-bangladesh-on-polling-day-469571 10 January 2014 NDTV 10 January 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140110184219/http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/widespread-attacks-on-hindus-in-bangladesh-on-polling-day-469571 live The Law Ministry has consulted the Supreme Court to try the criminals under the Terrorism Prevention Act. List of temples attacked Date Temple Place Upazila District Division 8 January 2014 Kali temple Battola Kalmakanda Upazila Netrakona District Dhaka Division 8 January 2014 Kali temple Kachubunia Morrelganj Upazila Bagerhat District Khulna Division 8 January 2014 Radha Govinda temple Kachubunia Morrelganj Upazila Bagerhat District Khulna Division 9 January 2014 Kali temple Narayanpur Ramganj Upazila Lakshmipur District Chittagong Division 10 January 2014 Sri Sri Nengta Babar Ashram Satdoha Magura Sadar Upazila Magura District Khulna Division 12 January 2014 Durga temple Ikri union Bhandaria Upazila Pirojpur District Barisal Division See also 1971 Bangladesh genocide Operation Searchlight Chuknagar massacre Razakar 2012 Chirirbandar violence 2012 Fatehpur violence 2012 Hathazari violence 2012 Ramu violence 2013 Bangladesh anti-Hindu violence Noakhali riots Persecution of indigenous peoples in Bangladesh Persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh Persecution of Buddhists in Bangladesh Persecution of Chakma Buddhists Persecution of Ahmadis in Bangladesh Persecution of Christians in Bangladesh Persecution of atheists and secularists in Bangladesh Freedom of religion in Bangladesh Human rights in Bangladesh References Category:2014 crimes in Bangladesh Category:Anti-Hindu violence in Bangladesh Category:Hate crimes in Asia Category:21st century in Hinduism Category:Looting in Bangladesh Category:Attacks on Hindu temples in Bangladesh Category:Hindu temple arson Category:Residential building arson attacks in Bangladesh Category:Arson in 2014 Category:2014 fires in Asia Category:Rape in the 2010s Category:Gang rape in Bangladesh Category:Hostage taking in Bangladesh Category:Knife attacks in Bangladesh Category:Mass stabbings in Bangladesh Category:Stabbing attacks in 2014 Category:Electoral violence in Bangladesh Category:January 2014 in Bangladesh Category:January 2014 crimes in Asia Category:Anti-Hindu riots