Dhaka, May 23: Violence against minorities, particularly Hindus, continues unabated in Bangladesh. Exiled writer and human rights activist Taslima Nasreen has expressed her concerns regarding this issue. She has written a letter to Prime Minister Tariq Rahman urging him to take action against such acts.
Nasreen has called on the Prime Minister to ensure the safety of minorities, uphold freedom of expression, and adopt a firm stance against “religious extremism and mob terror.”
In her post on the social media platform X, Nasreen stated, “You claimed that all citizens of Bangladesh would be granted equal rights, regardless of religion or ethnicity. However, in reality, we are witnessing renewed attacks on Hindus, land grabs, and the destruction of their lives based on rumors and accusations.”
She referenced recent incidents where several Hindu youths were allegedly attacked by extremist groups for “insulting Islam.”
Nasreen highlighted specific cases, including the assault on school teacher Gourang Sarkar from Satkhira, computer lab operator Mithu Mandal from Gopalganj, and Shaon Chandra Das from Gauripur College, all accused of “insulting Islam.” Rather than taking action against the attackers, the police arrested the victims.
She raised a critical question, “What will these individuals do after being released from jail? How will they survive after losing their jobs, facing social ostracism, and living in extreme insecurity? Will they be forced to leave the country?”
Local media reports indicate that on May 19, police detained Hindu teacher Gourang Sarkar over a statement made in class, accusing him of hurting Muslim religious sentiments.
On the same day, Shaon Chandra Das was arrested in the Mymensingh district for allegedly insulting an Islamic religious text. Prior to his arrest, an Islamic group called “Tawhidi Janata” staged a protest in Gauripur demanding his execution.
Condemning these events, Nasreen stated that they are not isolated incidents but part of “a horrifying conspiracy” aimed at gradually making Bangladesh a Hindu-free nation.
She further noted that many Hindus, including Rasaraj Das, Titu Roy, Utsav Mandal, and Deepu Das, have had their lives destroyed due to similar accusations and rumors. Their homes were burned, temples were destroyed, victims were imprisoned, and many were forced to flee the country.
Nasreen also questioned whether authorities have taken any concrete action against those spreading hatred against minorities and promoting mob attacks.
She asserted that accusations of “blasphemy” have now become a tool for silencing dissent, persecuting minorities, and instilling social terror. “If the state does not take strict measures against those who wish to gradually turn Bangladesh into a Hindu-free country, this silence will only encourage them. Freedom of expression is the cornerstone of democracy, but today it is nearly extinguished in Bangladesh.”
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