In a stark display of state-backed oppression, Hindu protesters in Bangladesh were met with brutal force and obstruction as they attempted to attend a rally in Rangpur organized by the Samilito Sanatani Jagran Manch. The rally, which sought to draw attention to the systematic persecution of Hindus under the authoritarian regime of Md Yunus, was aggressively disrupted by the police and radical Islamist groups.
Police forces reportedly stopped buses and cars carrying Hindu participants, preventing many from reaching the rally site. In numerous instances, protesters were subjected to physical violence, with some being beaten by law enforcement. A particularly heinous attack occurred when a Hindu man on his way to the protest was assaulted by members of the banned militant organization Jamaat-e-Islami, leaving him hospitalized with severe injuries.
The Hindu minority in Bangladesh has long endured systemic violence, but the events in Rangpur underscore the worsening conditions under the Yunus government. Despite the rally being a peaceful demonstration against extremist policies and the growing marginalization of minorities, the regime’s response was emblematic of its undemocratic and oppressive approach. The collaboration between state forces and Islamist extremists further highlights the precarious position of Hindus in the country.
Amid the violence, the resilience of the Hindu community shone through. Thousands braved the threats and repression to gather, voicing their demands for justice and safety.