New Delhi, Nov 7 (UNI) Following reports from Chittagong of attacks on the Hindu minority community by the Bangladesh Army, India on Thursday termed it “very condemnable” and urged the government in Dhaka to control the extremist elements and provide security to the minority community.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, addressing the weekly media briefing, said: “The homes and businesses of the Hindu community in Chittagong have been looted, following an incendiary post on social media.”
“It is understood there are extremist elements behind this. We yet again urge the Bangladesh government to take action against extremist elements and provide security to the minority Hindu community,” he said.
He added that it is a “very condemnable” incident.
Noted Bangladeshi author and activist, Taslima Nasreen, who lives in exile in India following fatwas issued by clerics in Bangladesh calling for her death, posted videos of the incident on her social media handle on X. She said the Bangladesh Army and police attacked Hindus in Hazari Lane in Chittagong, and they broke the CCTV cameras before attacking Hindu homes.
“The army went to a Hindu shop in Hazari Lane, Chittagong last night and said, 'Open the gate, come out, we will count till 3, if you don’t come out, we will shoot’,” she posted.
According to several posts on X, the Bangladesh Army and joint forces carried out an attack on Hindus in Hazari Galli area of Ward No. 32 of Anderkilla under Chittagong City Corporation of Chittagong district of Bangladesh.
One X post that had several videos of the incident, said:
“This is a repeat of '71. We did not expect this behaviour from the Bangladesh Army.”
A handle by the name Hindu Voice showed footage “of the atrocities on the Hindu minorities by the Bangladesh Army”
“From the sources on the ground, we got information that the Bangladesh Army gheraoed Hindu-dominated area of Hazari Gali where most of the gold traders live. There are many gold trading shops, mostly owned by Hindus.
“Really disturbing reports coming about the Bangladesh Army brutality on Hindus in Hazari Gali, Chittagong.
“Persecution of the Hindu minorities continues in #Bangladesh.
“After yesterday night's torture on Hindus, the administration sealed all the shops in Hazari Gali market in #Chattragram.”
Another post claimed that five Hindu have been killed in the violence, and seven are missing, while over 200 have been illegally are
According to reports, a Muslim businessman named Osman Ali, with links to the Jamaat-e-Islami, sparked tensions by posting provocative content on Facebook. He was previously warned for his offensive remarks against Hinduism but continued his actions. On November 4, he called ISKCON a "terrorist organization" in a Facebook post, which further fueled unrest.
In response, the Hindu community in Hazari Gali gathered to protest Osman Ali’s comments by surrounding his shop. Instead of addressing the issue peacefully, the Bangladesh Army intervened by providing protection to Osman Ali and forcibly dispersing the Hindu protesters with batons. The situation initially calmed down, but tensions remained high.
At around 10 PM on November 5, the Bangladesh Army and police launched a brutal crackdown on the Hindu community in Hazari Gali.
The Army and police allegedly smashed CCTV cameras to darken the area and prevent any evidence of their actions.
UNI RN