Bangladesh unrest: Locals say attacks on Hindus not done by their people, touts brotherhood

As Bangladesh tries to limp back to normalcy following weeks of deadly protests that saw the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, locals in Dhaka disapproved of the attacks and looting of houses belonging to Hindus and temples. They said those involved in such attacks did not belong to their community.

Speaking to India Today/Aaj Tak, the people said the Jamaat-e-Islami, an Islamic party, wanted to establish Islamic rule in Bangladesh and stated that the identity of Bengali identity will not be allowed to be tarnished.

“Whatever happened in the past few days was not good. Those who attacked Hindus and temples were not our people. The Jamaat wants Islamic rule, but the identity of Bengali-speaking Bangladesh will not change,” a local said.

“We believe in Islam and we want it to be kept in the forefront. But here, Hindus and Muslims are brothers and everyone will live together,” the local said.

Another local said he was disappointed with the way Sheikh Hasina handled the students’ protests that began over a controversial job quota system but later became an anti-government movement.

“Sheikh Hasina did the wrong thing. She should have engaged more with the students. She is also from this country. Dialogue, not repression, was needed,” he said.

Amid student protests, violence erupted on August 5 after Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to neighbouring India, where she is currently staying. During the violence, houses and businesses belonging to Hindus and temples were vandalised, looted and set ablaze.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, who took charge as the chief adviser of the interim government, to ensure the safety and protection of Hindus and all other minority communities in the crisis-hit country.

On Saturday, thousands of Hindus staged protests in Dhaka and Chattogram, demanding protection and justice after a series of attacks on their temples, homes, and businesses.

Yunus condemned the attacks on minorities, labelling them as “heinous”, and reiterated that restoring law and order remains the top priority.

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