By 
05-02-2024
Yun Cheng
Bangladesh Genocide Recognition Campaign,
Global Human Rights Defence.
On January 30th, 2025, the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council (BHBCUC) presented a report at a press conference at the National Press Club, demonstrating that 174 incidents of communal violence have taken place across the country from August 21st to December 31st, 2024. These incidents caused 23 deaths and nine women being raped. Based on data and information published in different media outlets, the BHBCUC reported that these communal incidents included 64 attacks on places of worship, 15 arrests and assaults over alleged blasphemy, 38 incidents of destruction and violence targeting homes and businesses, and 25 cases of forced land and property seizures (Prothomalo, 2025). Additionally, earlier in 2024, the BHBCUC reported that 2010 incidents of communal violence took place within 16 days in Bangladesh after the fall of the Hasina governance (Hossain, 2025). The Council pointed out that minority groups in Bangladesh were systematically targeted and their vulnerable situation was not resolved due to the constant discrimination from the interim government and the lack of representatives in the reconstruction of democratic institutions and systems.
On the other hand, Chief Advisor’s Press responded that the 23 deaths mentioned by the report were not found to have any connection with communal violence on February 4th, 2025. The interim government claimed that the investigation revealed that 22 deaths were caused by general crimes such as personal, business and family disputes. The government called on all parties to be more responsible for communal violence, and warned against exaggerating violence, indicating that misleading information could also lead to communal violence (The Business Standard, 2025b). The response of the interim government did not eliminate criticism of its failure to protect religious minorities. Activist and economist Anu Muhammad said that “an absence of transparency and accountability on the part of the government might lead to exaggeration, but minorities are being attacked” (Hossain, 2025). Meanwhile, the BHBCUC alleged that their activists are also going through intimidation, attacks and even fake charges from the government.
Sources and further readings:
ALAM, J. (2025, January 30). Bangladesh minority rights group accuses interim government of failing to protect minorities. AP News. Accessed on February 5th, 2025, from https://apnews.com/article/bangladesh-minority-hindu-attacks-yunus-hasina-india-cdc0996609db39d8c8b6783578ca45a9
ANI. (2024, November 26). “2,010 incidents of attacks, affecting 1,705 minority families in Bangladesh.” ANI News. Accessed on February 5th, 2025, from https://www.aninews.in/news/world/asia/2010-incidents-of-attacks-affecting-1705-minority-families-in-bangladesh20241126160742/
Bdnews24. (2025, February 4). Minority group spreading “false” information on communal violence. Minority Group Spreading “False” Information on Communal Violence; bdnews24.com. Accessed on February 5th, 2025, from https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/f4c36c548311
BSS. (2025, February 3). Killings of 23 minorities found to have no link with communal violence: CA press wing. Prothomalo; Prothom Alo English. Accessed on February 5th, 2025, from https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/r3jimrs91p
Corraya, S. (2025, September 7). In the past year, 45 people have died in violence against religious minorities in Bangladesh. Asianews.it. Accessed on February 5th, 2025, from https://www.asianews.it/news-en/In-the-past-year
Hossain, E. (2025, February 4). Bangladesh denies attacks on religious minorities. Ucanews.com; UCA News. Accessed on February 5th, 2025, from https://www.ucanews.com/news/bangladesh-denies-attacks-on-religious-minorities/107778
Prothomalo. (2025, January 30). 174 incidents of communal violence, 23 deaths in 4 months: BHBCUC. Prothomalo; Prothom Alo English. Accessed on February 5th, 2025, from https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/oczqb7au8a
The Business Standard. (2025a, January 30). 23 killed in communal violence in 4.5 months: Report. The Business Standard. Accessed on February 5th, 2025, from https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/23-killed-communal-violence-45-months-report-1056551
The Business Standard. (2025b, February 3). Not related to communal violence: Govt on Hindu Buddhist council’s claim about killing of 23 minorities. The Business Standard. Accessed on February 5th, 2025, from https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/not-related-communal-violence-govt-hindu-buddhist-councils-claim-about-killing-23
The Wire. (2025, January 31). B’desh Minorities Targeted on 174 Instances From Aug-Dec, Group Says; Govt Contests Figures. The Wire. Accessed on February 5th, 2025, from https://m.thewire.in/article/south/bangladesh-minorities-targeted-174-instances-bhbcuc
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