The relentless persecution of religious minorities in Bangladesh has once again come to light as a Hindu family in the Coomilla district has reportedly been forced to convert to Islam under threats of violence. Badal Chandra Shil, along with his wife and minor son, were coerced into abandoning their faith, marking yet another grim episode in the systematic targeting of the country’s Hindu minority.
Reports indicate that religious conversions in Bangladesh are not voluntary acts of faith but are often carried out under duress. Victims are threatened, and those who resist are warned of death or expulsion from the nation. Such intimidation leaves impoverished Hindu families with little choice but to succumb to the radicals’ demands.
This forced conversion underscores the increasing vulnerability of Hindus in Bangladesh, who already face societal and institutional discrimination. The radical Islamists’ brazen acts of violence and coercion continue to unfold, unchallenged by the state. The government’s silence on such matters has drawn widespread criticism, with human rights activists accusing it of enabling these atrocities by failing to protect its minority communities.
The international community has repeatedly expressed concerns over the deteriorating condition of minorities in Bangladesh. Yet, despite these warnings, the government’s inaction speaks volumes about its apathy toward safeguarding the rights of its marginalized citizens.