In the northeastern district of Sunamganj, Krishna Das, a small-scale farmer, recounted the harrowing night when a Muslim mob attacked his home in Monglargaon village following allegations of blasphemy against a young Hindu man. Krishna’s family fled, and their home was ransacked, leaving them destitute. Similar attacks on 20 other Hindu households and a local temple highlighted the insecurity faced by minorities in rural Bangladesh after the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s regime. Local authorities have since deployed security forces, but the fear among Hindus remains palpable.

The violence comes in the wake of widespread unrest following Sheikh Hasina’s resignation in August 2024 after a popular uprising. Her 15-year rule under the Awami League was perceived as a period of relative security for minorities due to the party’s secular stance. However, Hindu activists and minority rights groups argue that their safety was more psychological than real, as incidents of land grabs and targeted attacks occurred even during her tenure. With the current interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, accusations of downplaying attacks and removing secularism from the constitution have deepened anxieties among the Hindu community.

Activists have called for a minority protection law, a dedicated ministry, and the prosecution of anti-minority violence. Meanwhile, misinformation from Indian media about the scale of the attacks has fueled anti-India sentiments, complicating the plight of Bangladeshi Hindus, who are caught between regional politics and rising domestic fundamentalism. The community now demands actionable steps to ensure safety and equality as the political landscape of Bangladesh shifts.