Krishna Das never expected his peaceful life in Sunamganj, Bangladesh to be disrupted by a shocking incident last week. The chaos began when a young Hindu man named Akash Das allegedly made a blasphemous comment about the Quran on Facebook. This sparked protests and tensions in the predominantly Muslim community of Dowarabazar, about 270km from Dhaka. Krishna, a small-scale farmer, was at home when the violence reached his doorstep in Monglargaon village. A mob descended on the village, looting and destroying everything in their path. Despite the police arresting Akash Das before the attack, the mob still wreaked havoc on the community, leaving many homes destroyed and families displaced. The violence lasted for hours before security forces intervened. Local authorities are now working to restore a sense of security for the region’s Hindus, but fear still lingers. The incident in Monglargaon is just one example of the deep insecurities faced by the Hindu community in Bangladesh. The fall of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has led to increased tensions and violence, with reports of attacks on Hindu temples and homes. As relations between India and Bangladesh worsen, some media reports in India have exaggerated the violence against Hindus, further fueling fear and insecurity among the community. Bangladeshi Hindus are caught in a difficult position, having to prove their loyalty to their country while also dealing with pressure to dissociate from India. The situation has left many feeling trapped and vulnerable, as they struggle to protect their homes, businesses, and families in the face of violence and persecution.
