Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, has categorised recent violence against minority groups as predominantly “politically motivated,” despite widespread claims of communal targeting. The Dhaka Tribune reported that a police investigation into incidents from August 4 to August 20 found that 98.4% of the 1,415 reported cases of attacks and vandalism against minorities were politically driven. Only 1.59% of the cases were attributed to communal reasons, according to the authorities.
The findings emerged as the government faced scrutiny following the fall of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s regime. During this period, the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council reported 2,010 incidents of communal violence, though critics argue the actual number may be significantly higher.
Breakdown of the Investigations
Out of the 1,769 incidents reported, 1,415 were investigated by police, with 354 cases still under review. Among the investigated cases, 1,254 were substantiated, while 161 were dismissed due to insufficient evidence. Police stated that 1,452 incidents (82.8%) occurred on August 5, a day marked by widespread unrest following Hasina’s ousting. Additional reports revealed 134 communal violence complaints between August 5 and January 8.
The authorities claim to have conducted extensive investigations, which included visiting affected areas, engaging with institutions and victims, and encouraging formal complaints. Despite these efforts, critics have accused the government of downplaying the communal aspect of the violence.
Government’s Response and Assurance
To address the growing concerns, the Yunus administration emphasised its commitment to a zero-tolerance policy for communal violence. Officials assured that victims of such attacks would receive compensation and pledged to protect minority rights. The police also introduced a WhatsApp group to streamline the reporting of incidents, involving representatives from minority student groups.
While the government’s narrative frames the attacks as politically driven, questions remain about the extent of communal violence and the adequacy of measures taken to safeguard minority communities.
