Minority Leaders in Bangladesh Accuse Interim Government of Failing to Protect Communities

Several leaders of minority organizations in Bangladesh gathered in Dhaka to form a human chain, criticizing the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government for its failure to prevent violence, killings, and persecution against minority groups in the country. The Minority Unity Front organized the event outside the Jatiya Press Club, where leaders expressed concerns about the lack of effective investigations and justice, leading to a climate of fear and mistrust in Bangladesh.
Manindra Kumar Nath, the joint coordinator of the Minority Unity Front, highlighted the case of Hindu youth Dipu Chandra Das, who was brutally attacked and killed in Bhaluka upazila in Mymensingh district on December 18, allegedly due to religious blasphemy. He criticized Bangladeshi authorities for not reaching out to Das’s family and accused Yunus of failing to create a humane environment as promised.
Leaders called for Yunus’s removal, citing ongoing persecution of minorities since the interim government came into power. Concerns were raised about the upcoming February 2026 election, with fears that minorities may not have the freedom to participate without constraints. Subrata Chowdhury from the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council highlighted the insecurity faced by various minority groups in Bangladesh, attributing it to the spread of fear ahead of the election and the lack of action by law enforcement agencies.
Nim Chanda Bhowmik, a president of the Council, pointed out the role of divisive forces and militant groups in perpetuating violence in Bangladesh. He criticized the lack of response from the interim government to attacks on media offices and cultural organizations. The Council members demanded a thorough investigation into Das’s killing and urged for the punishment of those responsible, emphasizing the need to end oppression and persecution of religious and ethnic minorities in the country.
The Yunus-led interim government in Bangladesh has been under scrutiny for escalating violence against minorities, particularly Hindus, sparking condemnation from both local and international human rights organizations.