Daka: The top body of Hindus in Bangladesh has said that the minority Hindu community has faced attacks and threats at 278 places in 48 districts after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government on 5 August. The top body has termed it an "attack on Hinduism". Members of the 'Bangladesh National Hindu Grand Alliance' (BNHGA) pointed to the increase in attacks in recent days and said that "we also have rights in this country; we were born here." 

The Hindu population was targeted.

The minority Hindu population was targeted and their properties were looted and several temples were destroyed in the violence that continued for several days after the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Sheikh Hasina left the country for India on August 5. The BNHGA press conference came on the same day when Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus met members of the Hindu community at the famous Dhakeshwari temple here and urged people to "be patient" before forming an opinion about his government. Yunus took charge as the chief adviser of the interim government on August 8. 

'Attack on Hinduism'

BNHGA spokesperson and executive secretary Palash Kanti Dey said, "Due to the changing political scenario, incidents of attack, looting, arson, land grabbing and threats to leave the country are happening frequently on the Hindu community." He alleged in a press conference here, "This is not just an attack on individuals but an attack on Hinduism." Dey said, quoting a report published in the 'Dhaka Tribune' newspaper, "As of Monday, there have been incidents of attack and threats against the Hindu community at 278 places in 48 districts. We have conveyed our concerns to Home Affairs Advisor Brigadier General (Retd) M Sakhawat Hussain, who has assured us that these issues will be raised in the next cabinet meeting. " 

'There are expectations from the interim government'

The spokesperson said that BNHGA had put forward its demands before various political parties in the last 24 years, but they were not fulfilled. He said, "Now we hope that the interim government will pay attention to our old demands. Apart from this, we support the nationwide movement led by our students." BNHGA President Prabhas Chandra Roy expressed grief over the repeated violence against the Hindu community during political change and said, "Whenever the government changes, the Hindus are the first to be attacked." He said, "Earlier such incidents were less, but recently they have increased. We want to live with security in this country. We were born here and we have rights in this country."

his demand was made from the government 

BNHGA has demanded the government to conduct a judicial inquiry into the recent attacks on Hindu communities, establish a Minority Protection Act and Commission, and renovate temples and houses at public expense. According to the Dhaka Tribune report, the organization has also demanded a speedy trial for the culprits and making the investigation report public, releasing a report on the mistreatment of minorities since 2000, a three-day holiday during Durga Puja and the establishment of a minority ministry.