New Delhi:
As scrutiny intensifies over attacks on minority communities in Bangladesh, the country’s interim administration has pushed back against claims of widespread communal violence, asserting that most reported cases stem from general criminal activity rather than religious hatred.
The interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, said a comprehensive review of police data does not support the narrative that minorities are being systematically targeted on communal grounds. The clarification comes at a sensitive time, with national elections scheduled for February 12.
According to the interim government, an assessment of official police records from January to December 2025 documented 645 incidents involving members of minority communities. These records were compiled from verified First Information Reports, General Diaries, charge sheets, and investigation updates across the country.
The government claims that only 71 of these incidents showed clear communal elements, largely involving vandalism or desecration of religious sites and idols. The remaining 574 cases, it said, were linked to crimes such as land disputes, neighbourhood conflicts, political rivalries, theft, sexual violence, and long-standing personal enmities.
In a statement shared on social media platform X, Yunus emphasised that while every incident involving minorities is serious, it is critical to distinguish between crimes motivated by communal hatred and those arising from broader law-and-order challenges. He argued that mischaracterising criminal acts as communal risks spreading fear and misinformation, while also undermining effective policing.
The interim administration described the report as an exercise in transparency rather than denial. It acknowledged existing challenges but maintained that accurate classification of incidents is necessary to understand crime trends and to respond appropriately. The government reiterated that protecting all citizens, regardless of religion, is both a constitutional and moral responsibility.
Bangladesh’s diversity, the statement said, includes Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and people of other beliefs, all entitled to equal rights and protection. Ensuring the safety of places of worship, preventing incitement, and responding swiftly to criminal acts were described as essential to maintaining social harmony.
However, concerns remain among minority rights groups. The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council has voiced strong alarm over what it calls a rise in attacks on minority communities as elections approach. The organisation alleges that violence is being used as a tactic to intimidate minority voters and influence electoral outcomes.
India has also weighed in on the issue. India has criticised Bangladesh for what it describes as a tendency to downplay violence against minorities by attributing incidents to personal or political disputes. New Delhi has warned that such explanations risk emboldening extremist elements and failing to address the underlying vulnerabilities faced by minority communities.
As Bangladesh heads into a crucial electoral phase, the debate over whether these incidents are criminal or communal continues to draw regional and international attention, placing minority protection firmly in the political spotlight.
