Dhaka, October 8 (Daily Kiran) : Tensions are rising in Bangladesh as the Awami League expressed serious concerns about the safety of minority communities ahead of the Durga Puja festival. The party questioned the value of life for minorities when a whole Hindu family can be murdered, and no clear answers have emerged even after a month and a half.
In a statement, the Awami League highlighted the prevailing atmosphere of fear and insecurity, noting that while people are being told to celebrate Durga Puja, decorations are noticeably absent in temples across the country. Reports indicate that children have not even bought new clothes for the festival, with one elderly woman lamenting, “Only God knows what will happen next.”
The party referenced the brutal murder of retired Hindu teacher Ganapati Chakraborty and his family in Rangpur last August, emphasizing that police should have resolved the case by now. However, they pointed out that DNA test results are still pending, and none of the 35 pieces of evidence collected from the crime scene have been reported. Locals are losing faith in the police investigation, with relatives of the victims doubting that two individuals could have systematically killed four family members.
The Awami League criticized both the ruling BNP government and the opposition Jamaat-e-Islami, questioning the credibility of the investigation. They asked why people remain fearful if the case has been solved, and why no laboratory reports have emerged after so long.
Despite police presence at the murder site, with no one allowed to enter without senior officials’ permission, the district administration claims all necessary security measures are in place. Yet, a local Hindu housewife expressed her lack of trust in the authorities’ safety arrangements. Another resident noted that initial police and media attention has faded, raising questions about the ongoing silence.
Last week, the Awami League claimed that 44 members of minority communities have died in the past six months due to violence, including attacks on temples and homes, which have intensified fears among minorities. They stated that the true test of Prime Minister Tariq Rahman’s new government will be how it addresses the situation of vulnerable citizens on the ground. As Bangladesh’s religious and ethnic minorities enter 2026, their concerns for safety remain unresolved, despite the change in government.
It is important to note that incidents of violence against minorities, particularly Hindus, have been reported even during previous interim governments. The Awami League alleges that such issues persist under the current BNP administration.
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