Since the formation of the interim government under Mohammad Yunus following protests against Sheikh Hasina's government, violence against minorities, especially Hindus, has surged in Bangladesh. Despite global outcry over lynchings and killings of Hindus, Yunus's interim government has refused to view these incidents as communal violence.
The interim government of Bangladesh asserts that most incidents involving minorities last year (2025) were criminal rather than communal. According to a statement from Yunus’s office, which referenced police records, there were 645 incidents involving minorities from January to December 2025 across Bangladesh, with only 71 being communal.
Yunus's office emphasizes that every incident is concerning; however, the data provides a clear, evidence-based picture. According to statistics, there were 38 cases of temple vandalism, eight arson cases, one theft, and one murder. Other incidents included threats to break idols, provocative social media posts, and damage to worship venues. Of these 71 cases, police registered 50, resulting in equivalent arrests, while the remaining 574 incidents had no religious ties.
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The interim government reported disputes with neighbors in 51 cases, land conflicts in 23, theft in 106, age-old enmities in 26, rape in 58, and 172 unnatural death cases in the last year. Legal actions were taken in 390 cases, 154 unnatural death reports filed, and 498 arrests made. Additional measures were executed in 30 cases. The interim government reiterated that severe crimes require accountability.
Further Reading: Most Minority-Related Incidents Are Criminal, Not Communal, Claims Bangladesh's Yunus Government
Questions Arise Over Report
Kajal Debnath, a leader from the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council (BHBCUC), questioned the labeling of violence against minorities as non-communal. He challenges the notion by asking if people can now take the law into their own hands. Debnath argued that such statements could embolden criminals. BHBCUC recently claimed that as election dates approach, violence against minorities is escalating dangerously.
Demographics of Bangladesh’s Hindu Population
According to the 2022 census, approximately 13.1 million Hindus reside in Bangladesh. Hindus make up about 8% of Bangladesh's total population. Additionally, the country hosts around 1 million Buddhists, 500,000 Christians, and approximately 200,000 Sikhs, tribals, and adherents of other religions. Addressing the rise in violent incidents against minorities, Indian Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated on January 9 that such communal incidents should be addressed swiftly and firmly.
