Gang rape of Hindu woman; Hindu advocate axed to death in Bangladesh !

Dhaka (Bangladesh) – Following the change of power in Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus stepped down and Tarique Rahman assumed office as Prime Minister. Yet, there has been no change in the situation of the Hindu minority in the country. There are no signs of violence against Hindus abating. In Chandnipur, an incident has come to light in which a differently abled Hindu woman was gang-raped. The accused – Rakib, Sohel and Russell – are reportedly roaming free. In addition, in Gaibandha, a Hindu advocate was attacked with an axe and murdered.

1. The 25-year-old Hindu victim, who is undergoing treatment in hospital, stated that on 22 February at around 9 pm, while she was returning from a Kirtan programme, three Muslim youths abducted her and gang-raped her. The victim has lodged a complaint with the police; however, no arrests have yet been made.

2. In Gaibandha, 40-year-old Hindu advocate Amitabh Chandra Sujan was allegedly attacked with an axe and murdered after miscreants barged into his residence. The incident is said to have occurred soon after the victory of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Following the incident, concerns are being expressed over the deteriorating law and order situation.

Editorial Perspective

Even after the elections and declaration of results, Hindus continue to be killed in Bangladesh. Those who claimed that the killings of Hindus were merely ‘political murders’, including newly elected Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, must now be questioned over these incidents. Hindus in India feel that India’s Ministry of External Affairs should at least now firmly take up the matter with the Bangladesh government.