Bangladesh’s caretaker government has pledged swift legal action against those perpetrating violence against minorities, following a surge in attacks on Hindu communities after the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government.
Brigadier General (retd) M Sakhawat Hussain, the newly appointed Home Affairs Ministry adviser, gave this assurance during a meeting with a delegation from the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Bangladesh on Thursday, according to a report in the Dhaka Tribune.
Hussain underscored that Bangladesh is a nation founded on communal harmony, where people of all religions have coexisted peacefully.
He asserted that any acts of violence, conflict, or hatred would be met with severe legal consequences.
“No one will be spared if they attack or abuse minorities,” Hussain declared, reinforcing the caretaker government’s commitment to maintaining peace and safeguarding all citizens, regardless of their religious background.
The meeting with ISKCON Bangladesh comes in the wake of increasing violence against Hindus, which escalated after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to India on August 5, following mass protests over her government's controversial job quota system.
The violence has reportedly affected 278 locations across 48 districts, with the Bangladesh National Hindu Grand Alliance labelling these incidents as an "assault on the Hindu religion."
Satyaranjan Baroi, the president of ISKCON Bangladesh, urged the adviser to prioritize the safety of minorities, presenting eight proposals to ensure their protection.
These included enacting specific laws, establishing monitoring cells, forming a Minority Commission, and providing continuous state security for temples.
Hussain assured ISKCON of his full support, emphasising that there is no place for violence or hatred in Bangladesh, a country that believes in peace.
In response to the ongoing unrest, the caretaker government led by Chief Adviser Md Yunus has also taken measures to address the concerns of the minority community.
On Monday, the Home Ministry established a hotline for reporting attacks on religious institutions, urging citizens to come forward with information.
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