Bangladesh Interim Government Chief Urges Religious Harmony Amid Concerns Over Attacks on Minorities

In the wake of reports of violence against Hindus and other minority communities in Bangladesh, the country's interim leader, Mohammed Yunus, has called for religious harmony and warned against taking the law into one's own hands.

Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, was sworn in as the chief advisor to the interim government of Bangladesh on August 8, after the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina following weeks of violent protests.

The unrest initially began as a student demonstration against discriminatory job reservations for relatives of veterans who fought in the country's liberation war from Pakistan, but later descended into wider violence, resulting in around 600 reported deaths.

Concerns Over Attacks on Minorities

In the aftermath of the unrest, rights groups and diplomats have raised concerns over reports of attacks on religious minorities, particularly Hindus, who comprise around 9% of Bangladesh's population.

The Indian government has set up a special committee to monitor the situation, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called on Yunus to ensure the safety of the Hindu community.

Allegations of Racial Profiling

Concerns about racial profiling of Hindus were triggered when the Personnel Department of the President of Bangladesh called for a list of Joint Secretary-level Hindu officers. Dhaka has denied the allegations, stating that the list was meant to identify such officers for the purpose of inviting them to a religious event.

Restrictions on Hindu Festivals

The interim government has also faced criticism for urging the Hindu community to halt activities related to Durga Puja, a major religious and socio-cultural event in the region of Bengal, during the Muslim call to prayer (azaan) and prayer (namaz).

The Durga Puja, held each year during autumn, is the biggest festival celebrated by the Bengali-Hindu community and involves playing music and organizing cultural performances.

Calls for Maintaining Religious Harmony

In his address to the nation, Yunus emphasized the importance of maintaining religious harmony, stating that "No one should take the law into their own hands. If anyone creates disorder in society by doing so, we will definitely bring them under punishment."

The interim leader has vowed to build a "democratic Bangladesh" for future generations, and his call for calm and restraint comes amid concerns about the potential for further unrest and violence in the country.