Bangladesh: Yunus downplays 'communal' attacks on minorities, calls them 'politically motivated'

Bangladesh’s interim government once again portrayed violence against minority groups in the country as “politically motivated,” despite several indications that the instances of violence occurred based on communal lines. According to Bangladeshi news outlet Dhaka Tribune, a police investigation revealed that following the fall of former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina’s regime, 98.4 per cent of the 1,415 reported incidents of attacks and vandalism against minorities were “politically motivated.”

The police insisted that only 1.59 per cent occurred due to communal reasons. The information was revealed following an investigation into the incidents from August 4 to August 20. The police findings were later shared on Saturday by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus’s press wing.

The authorities noted that the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council reported 2,010 incidents of communal violence during this period. However, many critics argue that the number is way less than the actual amount of violence against minorities that has occurred across the country.

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As per the report, police stated that there were 1,769 cases of reported attacks and vandalism out of which the police have investigated 1,415 incidents, with 354 cases still under investigation. The authorities stated among the cases that have been investigated, 1,254 were found to be substantiated, while 161 lacked evidence. They maintained that most of these cases were politically motivated with only 1.59 per cent of cases being of communal nature.

Bangladeshi police downplays it all

The report noted that the investigation involved visiting the affected locations, communicating with institutions and individuals involved, and encouraging victims to formally file complaints, T_he Dhaka Tribune_ reported.

Police data also revealed that of the 1,769 reported incidents, 1,452 (82.8%) occurred on a single day—August 5—following the fall of Hasina’s regime. The report described the day as “a period marked by nationwide deterioration in law and order.” They stated that communal violence cases occurred in the country between August 5 and January 8, 134 additional complaints of communal violence were also reported.

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While concluding their report, the police said that they had established a WhatsApp group to receive complaints, including representatives from minority students. Meanwhile, the Yunus administration maintained that they have a zero-tolerance policy towards any communal attacks and assured that victims of such attacks will be duly compensated.