Hundreds of Bangladeshi Hindus Gather at Indian Border Amid Political Turmoil

Hundreds of Hindus in Bangladesh have gathered along the Indian border, hoping to cross into India, security officials reported on Thursday. This movement follows the recent student-led uprising that resulted in the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

In the aftermath of Hasina’s ouster, some businesses and homes owned by Hindus have been attacked. The Hindu community in Muslim-majority Bangladesh is perceived by some as having been close to Hasina during her tenure.

“Several hundred Bangladeshi nationals, mostly Hindus, have gathered at various points along India’s border with Bangladesh,” Amit Kumar Tyagi, deputy inspector general of India’s Border Security Force (BSF), told AFP.

In West Bengal, more than 200 people are “standing close” to the frontier, Tyagi reported. In the Jalpaiguri district of the state, over 600 Bangladeshis have gathered in the no-man’s land area. “As there is no fence here, BSF personnel formed a human shield to keep them at bay,” Tyagi added.

To disperse the crowds, officers fired a blank shot into the air.

Sheikh Hasina, 76, who had been in power since 2009, resigned on Monday after more than a month of deadly protests. Although the security situation in Bangladesh has since improved dramatically, reports of revenge attacks on her supporters and party officials have surfaced.

Earlier this week, the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council reported that at least 10 Hindu temples were attacked by “miscreants” on Monday. A hospital official, speaking on condition of anonymity, informed AFP that one man from the Hindu community was beaten to death in the southern Bagerhat district.

Meanwhile, in India, where Hasina is currently taking shelter, Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar stated on Tuesday that his government is “monitoring the situation” concerning minorities in Bangladesh.

The exodus of Hindus towards the Indian border highlights the ongoing tensions and uncertainties in Bangladesh following the significant political upheaval. The Indian government’s response and the international community’s attention remain crucial in addressing the safety and security of the Hindu minority in Bangladesh.