Bangladesh violence against Hindus draws sharp rebuke from Taslima Nasreen, puts Yunus-led interim government under fire

Dhaka: Violence in Bangladesh has spiralled out of control, with reports of brutal attacks on minority Hindus becoming alarmingly frequent. Incidents of arson, vandalism and killings targeting Hindu families have been reported from several districts, triggering widespread concern and condemnation.

Amid the deteriorating law-and-order situation, critics allege that the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus has failed to act decisively to protect minorities, choosing instead to remain a silent spectator.

Renowned author and human rights activist Taslima Nasreen has emerged as one of the strongest voices condemning the attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh.

Through a series of sharp posts on social media, Nasreen has accused the Yunus-led interim administration of tacitly endorsing the violence by its continued inaction.

Her outspoken criticism has intensified political pressure on the interim government, which is already facing scrutiny over its handling of internal unrest.

In a post on X, Taslima Nasreen described horrifying incidents of arson against Hindu households. She cited the case of Dumritola village in Pirojpur district, where extremists allegedly set fire to five rooms of a Hindu family’s house in the early hours of the morning while the residents were asleep.

She also referred to similar attacks in Raozan, Chattogram, where Hindu homes were reportedly torched using the same method.

Questioning the intent behind such attacks, Nasreen wrote that assailants deliberately target homes at night with the aim of burning Hindus alive.

She warned that if the violence continues unchecked, all remaining Hindu homes in the country could be reduced to ashes. In a stinging remark, she labelled Muhammad Yunus a “modern Nero”, accusing him of “playing the flute” while the country burns.

The violence has intensified in the aftermath of the killing of student leader Sharif Usman Hadi, following which large-scale protests erupted across Bangladesh. Anti-India sentiments have also flared, particularly after former prime minister Sheikh Hasina was granted political asylum by India.

Analysts and minority rights groups claim that fundamentalist elements are using this political climate to justify attacks on Hindu communities, who are being targeted as soft and symbolic victims.

Further fuelling outrage, reports have emerged of mob killings, desecration of bodies, and attacks on media offices, raising serious questions about the state’s ability—or willingness—to enforce the rule of law.

Critics argue that statements made by Muhammad Yunus during Hadi’s funeral, perceived as hostile towards India, have emboldened extremist groups, indirectly contributing to the spike in violence against minorities.

While the interim government maintains that it is monitoring the situation, opposition voices and civil rights activists insist that mere statements are insufficient. They demand immediate action, including strong policing, arrests of perpetrators, and clear assurances to minority communities.

Taslima Nasreen, however, continues to voice her protest relentlessly, asserting that silence in the face of injustice amounts to complicity. Her criticism has resonated beyond Bangladesh, drawing international attention to the plight of Hindus in the country and intensifying calls for accountability from the interim regime.

As Bangladesh grapples with renewed instability, the treatment of its minorities has become a defining test for the Yunus-led administration—one that many believe it is currently failing.

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