Why is the Awami League Condemning the Yunus Government's Actions Against Hindus?

Dhaka, June 28 (NationPress) The Awami League on Saturday vehemently denounced the ongoing 'inhuman persecution' of the Hindu community and the destruction of their places of worship under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus in Bangladesh.

'Attacks on homes of religious minorities, looting, arson, and indiscriminate killings remain relentless — acts that can be classified as genocide. While these barbaric acts were previously perpetrated with the protection of this illegitimate, fascist Yunus regime, it is now the regime itself that is instigating attacks on the Hindu community,'

stated a proclamation from the Awami League party.

Earlier this week, local authorities demolished the Durga temple located in Dhaka's Khilkhet area, as assaults on Hindus in Bangladesh escalate alarmingly following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government in August 2024.

'For the first time, we have seen police and government officials actively involved in demolishing temples and destroying idols — claiming these were 'illegal structures' on railway land. Yet, the Hindu community has conducted religious rituals on this land for generations. Hundreds of other illegal structures persist on the same land — so why target only the Hindu temple? It is evident that this unlawful, fascist regime is intentionally fostering militant, ultra-communal ideologies, relegating Hindus and other minorities to a status of statelessness within their own nation,'

the statement continued.

The Awami League highlighted a troubling trend where Hindu community members are being falsely accused to justify their persecution.

'Under fabricated accusations of 'blasphemy', communal attacks are being initiated. Recently in Lalmonirhat, a 69-year-old man, Paresh Chandra Shil, was physically assaulted under such pretenses. When his son intervened to help him, he too faced violence,'

the party noted.

The party emphasized that if anyone defames a religion, they should face legal consequences — not violent mob retaliation. Such impunity, they asserted, is only feasible when the government actively supports 'extremist militant groups'.

The Awami League expressed deep concern as the 'fascist Yunus clique', which represents 'ultra-communal militant forces', has unlawfully seized state power and is systematically repressing not only the Awami League and other progressive, pro-Liberation War political forces, but also Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and other religious minorities under direct state sponsorship.

'The Bangladesh Awami League strongly condemns and categorically protests this unconstitutional and undemocratic regime's abhorrent actions. The wave of persecution against Hindus and other religious minorities over the past 10 months reflects a state character that stands in stark contradiction to the ideals, values, and founding principles of Bangladesh,'

the party declared.

'We overcame the Pakistani occupation forces through a united struggle of people from all ethnicities, religions, and communities. Every citizen in this country is entitled to equal rights. No one has the right — based on race, religion, or ethnicity — to undermine the rights of another. Violating this principle erodes the foundation of justice and equality,'

it further stated.

The Awami League highlighted that day after day, Bangladesh is witnessing the devastation of Hindu homes, land grabs, murders and attempted murders, abductions, abuse of women, and threats that compel minorities to flee the country.

Former PM Hasina's party unequivocally condemned and protested these 'disgraceful and dangerous actions' by the 'illegal regime' under Yunus.

The Awami League also reaffirmed its commitment to the ongoing political struggle to establish a system that guarantees equal opportunity for all, asserting that their sole aim is to construct a future Bangladesh grounded in equality and the spirit of the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971.

On Thursday, India also strongly criticized the demolition of the Durga Mandir in Dhaka, condemning the role of the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government in permitting the destruction and framing it as a case of illegal land use.

'We understand that extremists were demanding the demolition of the Durga temple in Khilkhet, Dhaka. Instead of safeguarding the temple, the interim government portrayed the incident as a case of illegal land use and allowed the destruction of the temple today,' stated Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during a weekly media briefing in New Delhi.

'This has resulted in damage to the deity before it was relocated. We are disheartened that such incidents continue to occur in Bangladesh. It is the responsibility of the interim government of Bangladesh to protect Hindus, their properties, and their religious institutions,' he emphasized.

Earlier this week, the Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities (HRCBM) brought attention to another incident, condemning the vandalization of a Mahastri Manasa and Durga Temple in the Dinajpur district by miscreants as a horrifying act of terrorizing the Hindu minority community in the country.

'The assailants vandalized the temple, smashed idols, and severed the head of the Goddess Manasa's idol — an act of deep sacrilege intended to humiliate the minority community and instill fear. As the attackers fled, they threatened local Hindus with further violence, vowing to kill community members at the next opportunity,' read a statement from the HRCBM.

'The institutionalized fear pervasive among Bangladesh's Hindu community — exacerbated by years of targeted violence, social marginalization, and systemic failures was painfully evident in this case,' it concluded.