A hotel owned by 24 Awami League leaders was burnt alive; Hindu houses, temples 'target'
The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council (BHBCUC) reported a series of attacks on Hindu homes and businesses, vandalizing around 200–300 properties since Hasina's resignation and move to India.
Following the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina amid student-led protests, Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus has been chosen to lead the country's interim government. The decision was taken on Tuesday night after Sheikh Hasina left the country in the wake of a crackdown on student protests. The movement aims to bring stability and leadership in these turbulent times. After being released from prison, BNP leader and former prime minister Khaleda Zia expressed her dismay at the rampant violence, destruction and looting of public resources that took place during the student unrest.
There have been reports of a horrific incident in Bangladesh where a mob set Zabir International Hotel on fire, resulting in the unfortunate death of at least 24 people, including an Indonesian national. A hotel owned by an Awami League politician became the target of violence after Sheikh Hasina left office.
The incident is said to have taken place late on Monday night when a mob set fire to the Jabir International Hotel owned by Zilla Awami League General Secretary Shaheen Chakkaldar in Joshore district.
Doctors at the Johor General Hospital confirmed they had counted 24 bodies, while rescued hotel staff feared more bodies were still trapped in the rubble.
According to media reports, an unidentified mob protesting the Awami League (AL) rule set fire to the ground floor of the hotel, which quickly spread to the upper floors. Similar incidents were reported across the country, where angry mobs simultaneously targeted the residences and businesses of numerous Awami League leaders and activists, including the party's central office on Bangabandhu Avenue in the capital.
Hindu society faces vandalism
Following Sheikh Hasina's resignation, a Hindu organization in Bangladesh reportedly vandalized Hindu homes, businesses and temples on a large scale. Bangladesh's Hindu community, which accounts for about 8 percent of the total population, has historically received support from Hasina's Awami League government. However, due to recent political change, an opposition group that includes a hard-line Islamic party has posed challenges for the minority group.
The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council (BHBCUC) reported a series of attacks on Hindu homes and businesses, vandalizing around 200–300 properties since Hasina's resignation and move to India.
Additionally, 15-20 Hindu temples were damaged and 40 community members were injured, according to BHBCUC general secretary Rana Dasgupta.
“The caste abuse started hours before she resigned,” he said. “Even if there is no murder, there is injury. Homes and businesses of minorities, especially Hindus, as well as temples were targeted, looted, damaged.
The head of the minority group also said that in an act of communal violence, some unidentified persons threw a brick at his car while he was out on Monday.
Students who have led protests against Hasina that have killed nearly 300 people since July have repeatedly called for the Muslim-majority country not to target minority communities. But Hindu community leaders said they felt insecure due to the lack of a functioning government.
The families of the deceased in Bangladesh presented 11-point demands
The families of those killed in student protests in Bangladesh on Tuesday presented 11-point demands, including jobs and rehabilitation, to the interim government to be formed to replace the regime of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The death toll in massive protests after the Hasina-led government announced a quota system in jobs has risen to 440, with violent clashes between police and mostly student protesters killing more than 200 people in renewed violence over the weekend.
A statement signed by Harun-ur Rasheed, convenor of the proposed “Committee of Families of Injured and Killed Anti-Discrimination Student Movement”, said that the initiative has been taken to collect accurate information about students, families of children. Young, old, men and women injured and killed in violence.
Demands include Rs 2,000-3,000 per month subsidy on the basis of age for all students from pre-primary to masters, Rs 3,000 unemployment allowance for job aspirants, setting up of an inquiry committee. The Dhaka Tribune newspaper reported that armed forces and students are involved in treating the injured of the anti-discrimination student movement and speedy rehabilitation of the affected families.
(with inputs from PTI)
