The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council (Hindu Buddhist Christian Oikya Parishad) says that 257 incidents of communal violence were reported across the country during the first six months of this year, from January 1 to June 30. A total of 261 people were reportedly victims of communal violence during this period.
The council disclosed the figures at a press conference held on Monday at the Tafazzal Hossain Manik Mia Hall of the National Press Club in the capital, Dhaka. According to the organisation, the information was compiled from various newspapers, news outlets, and its own sources.
Manindra Kumar Nath, acting general secretary of the Unity Council, presented the organisation’s written statement at the press conference.
He said that 44 people were killed in 40 separate incidents over the past six months. There were also five reported cases of violence against women, including rape and gang rape.
The council recorded 62 incidents involving attacks, vandalism, and looting at religious places of worship. In addition, there were 15 reported cases of land grabbing involving religious sites.
According to the council, 47 incidents involved attacks, vandalism, looting, or arson targeting homes and business establishments. There were also 10 cases involving abduction, extortion, and torture, while nine people were reportedly arrested or subjected to abuse over allegations of insulting religion.
The organisation further reported 21 incidents of forcible occupation and six other incidents.
The Unity Council called on the government to take immediate steps to ensure the safety and security of religious and ethnic minorities and indigenous communities. It also presented an eight-point set of demands.
Immediate Measures
The council called for provocative and hate-filled religious statements, as well as the spreading of rumours, to be treated as “harmful acts” under the Special Powers Act, with those responsible facing punishment.
It also demanded that the candidacy of individuals involved in such activities be immediately cancelled in elections.
The organisation urged the government to recognise minority and indigenous communities as “particularly vulnerable groups” and to declare a “zero-tolerance” policy against communal violence.
Eight-Point Demands
Among its eight demands, the Unity Council called for:
The enactment of a Minority Protection Act.
The establishment of a National Minority Commission and a Ministry of Minority Affairs.
The removal of bureaucratic complications surrounding vested property and the swift return of land to its rightful owners in accordance with court rulings.
The reservation of 60 seats in Parliament for minorities, with representatives elected directly through votes from minority communities.
The enactment of a law to eliminate discrimination.
Full implementation of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord.
Declaring three days of public holiday for Durga Puja, one day for Prabarana Purnima, and one day for Easter Sunday.
At the press conference, Ranjan Karmakar, a member of the Unity Council’s presidium, said the organisation wants Bangladesh to remain a non-communal and secular country. He added that they do not want the religious sentiments of any community to be hurt by communal forces.
“Nirmal Rozario, one of the council’s vice presidents, expressed hope that the government would properly investigate incidents of violence against minorities.”
“We want peace. We do not like having to take to the streets repeatedly. But if violence against minorities continues like this, we will be forced to announce larger programmes,” he said.
“We want to see the government conduct proper investigations into these incidents. We have faith in the government to do so.”
The press conference was moderated by Dipankar Ghosh, the council’s organising secretary. Presidium members Kajal Debnath and Sunanda Priya Bhikkhu, among others, were also present
