Minority report: Bangladesh crisis shows why CAA is relevant

The recent upheaval in Bangladesh, leading to widespread violence and the forced exodus of its leader, Sheikh Hasina, has not only sent shockwaves across the region but has also spotlighted the dire plight of minority communities, particularly the Hindu population, who find themselves caught in the crossfire of political turmoil and communal unrest.

The Hindu minority in Bangladesh has been disproportionately impacted by the chaos, enduring targeted violence, discrimination, and threats to their very existence. What the minorities in Bangladesh had to go through over the last week since the protest intensified is, at best, just the tip of the iceberg. The exodus of Sheikh Hasina and the escalating violence against the Hindu minority underscore the urgent need for nations in the region to address issues of religious persecution and provide safe havens for those in need. More so when the Hindus in Bangladesh are considered a favourable support base for Hasina’s party.

The student-led protest, initially fuelled by demands to scrap the new job quota bill, took a sinister turn as the radical Jamaat-e-Islami, Bangladesh’s largest opposition group, lent its support. What began as a call for reforms in a job quota bill swiftly descended into a harrowing saga of violence, culminating in targeted killings of Bangladeshi minorities, particularly Hindus.

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Jamaat-e-Islami’s formidable presence in Bangladeshi politics, surpassing even the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, positions them as pivotal players in the country’s political landscape. However, beneath their political facade lies a troubling truth—their historical alignment with forces opposing Bangladesh’s very existence. Dating back to pre-independence India, Jamaat-e-Islami staunchly resisted the formation of Bangladesh, collaborating with the Pakistani army against the nation’s liberation. Their ideological stance, proudly proclaimed on their website, leaves little room for ambiguity: “implementing the Islamic code of life” is their unwavering mission.

The conspicuous display of Taliban flags amid the protests serves as a chilling reminder of the Jamaat’s ideological leanings. The echoes of their agenda resonate with the Taliban’s strict interpretation of Islamic law, drawing stark parallels between the two entities. As the shadows of history intertwine with the present turmoil in Bangladesh, the ominous presence of Jamaat-e-Islami serves as a stark reminder of the enduring struggle for religious freedom and the dangers posed by extremist ideologies in the fabric of society.

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Muhammad Yunus has been sworn in as the interim head of state in Bangladesh, marking a significant shift in the country’s political landscape. This development comes amid escalating turmoil, with the recent upheaval forcing Sheikh Hasina out of power. Yunus, a Nobel laureate known for his pioneering work in microfinance, now faces the daunting task of steering a nation grappling with deep-rooted political and communal tensions. His appointment, while intended to bring stability, also raises questions about the future of Bangladesh, especially concerning the safety and rights of its minority communities.

The heartbreaking images of Hindu victims emanating from Bangladesh serve as a chilling reminder of the deep-seated prejudices and atrocities that continue to plague minority communities in the region. These visuals of suffering and anguish lay bare the harsh realities faced by those who are targeted for their beliefs, their very existence threatened by forces of intolerance and persecution. Historically, Hindus have never been well placed in the socio-political landscape of Bangladesh. From 23 per cent in 1971, the Hindu population has dwindled to less than 7.5 per cent today. Since its inception, Bangladeshi Hindus have faced forced conversions, mass exodus, and the vandalism of their religious sites, with the state complicit in these actions. Why this has persisted despite Bangladesh being a quasi-democratic state warrants serious examination.

This development has unveiled several harsh truths for us, first, shattering long-held beliefs that have defined the region’s identity. The myth of linguistic or Bengali nationalism—a notion that language and shared cultural heritage alone can unify a diverse population—has been successfully busted. For years, this idea of Bengali nationalism has been touted as a unifying force that transcends religious and ethnic divides, fostering a sense of collective identity among the people of Bangladesh. However, the recent turmoil reveals that these bonds, based on language and culture, are not strong enough to withstand the rising tide of religious extremism and political violence.

The Bengali identity, celebrated for its rich cultural heritage, literature, and shared history, was believed to be a powerful antidote to sectarianism. It was thought that the shared language and culture would bind the population together, creating a cohesive society despite its religious diversity. However, the brutal reality of targeted violence against Hindus and other minorities has exposed the fragility of this nationalist narrative. The events in Bangladesh demonstrate that when political and religious extremism is at play, the bonds of linguistic and cultural unity quickly unravel, revealing deeper divisions rooted in religious and ideological differences.

And second, the Hindu community globally continues to be one of the most persecuted, often finding themselves as orphans in their own land. From the historical partition of India to the ongoing marginalisation in countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, Hindus have faced relentless discrimination, violence, and forced displacement. In regions where they once lived as a thriving majority, they have been systematically reduced to a vulnerable minority, stripped of their rights and dignity.

This persecution isn’t confined to South Asia alone. Across the world in various forms and degrees, Hindus have been subjected to intolerance and prejudice. Whether through the desecration of temples, forced conversions, or the denial of basic human rights, the Hindu community has repeatedly been targeted for its beliefs and practices.

The tragic irony is that even in places that were once the cradle of their culture and civilisation, Hindus now live in fear, their existence precarious, and their heritage under constant threat. They have become orphans in their own land, disconnected from the soil that once nurtured their identity and way of life. This global pattern of persecution reflects a broader challenge for the Hindu community, as they struggle to preserve their faith, culture, and traditions in an increasingly hostile world.

This amplifies the relevance of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and underscores the urgent need for more such measures. The CAA, which offers refuge to persecuted minorities from neighbouring countries, stands as a crucial lifeline for those who have been systematically marginalised and terrorised simply because of their faith. The act serves as a beacon of hope, providing a safe haven for Hindus and other minorities who have been rendered stateless orphans in their own lands. While critics have debated the CAA’s implications, the recent events in Bangladesh serve as a stark reminder of the harsh realities faced by minority communities in India’s neighbourhood. The CAA stands as a humanitarian gesture, offering a lifeline to those facing religious persecution and seeking refuge in India.

In a world plagued by political unrest and communal tensions, initiatives like the CAA play a crucial role in ensuring that the persecuted are not abandoned or left to fend for themselves in times of crisis. By amplifying the relevance of the CAA through the lens of the Bangladesh chaos, we are reminded of the imperative to uphold the principles of religious freedom and human rights, safeguarding the rights and dignity of all individuals regardless of their faith.

While the liberal lobby attempts to downplay this development, choosing instead to reminisce about shared language, art, culture, and the ideal of a unified ‘Bangla’ conscience, the reality on the ground tells a different story. The situation is far grimmer, and it’s difficult to conclude on an optimistic note. The situation calls for a concerted effort by the international community to acknowledge and address the plight of Hindus worldwide, and the motivation behind this is religious extremism. Without such recognition and action, the cycle of persecution is likely to continue, further eroding the rich cultural fabric that the Hindu community has contributed to global civilisation.

The author is a research assistant at the Department of Public and International Affairs in City University of Hong Kong (CityU). Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.