Bangladesh: Muslims attack more than 100 Hindu-owned properties, stealing millions in response to alleged blasphemy

Image: Jihad Watch

On Wednesday, December 4, a violent mob descended on Hindu-owned homes and businesses in the Dowarabazar area of Sunamganj, Sylhet, Bangladesh. The unrest began at sunset, escalated throughout the night, and continued past midnight, resulting in extensive damage to Hindu properties. The attack was allegedly sparked by a Facebook post deemed offensive by the Muslim community. 

Reports suggest that a group of Muslims had gathered for a procession to protest a post made by a Hindu boy, which they found insulting. However, as history has shown, such protests are rarely peaceful. Many in the Muslim community seem either unaware or dismissive of the possibility of resolving disputes through dialogue, preferring instead to take to the streets with violence and attack vulnerable non-Muslims.

Details about the post that supposedly triggered the mob are scarce, with only an image mentioned. It's unclear whether the claim that a Hindu youth posted something offensive is even true.

Historically, we've witnessed how violent Muslim mobs have acted on mere rumors, causing destruction and bloodshed, only for investigations to reveal that no provocation occurred. In this case, too, a mere rumor about an offensive post led angry Muslims to destroy Hindu properties. 

The mob looted and damaged dozens of homes and shops, including several gold stores. The local Loknath Temple was ransacked, with valuables worth over 1.5 million Bangladeshi taka ($12,500) stolen. At least 30 homes and over 100 shops were damaged. They also targeted the house of Gaur Das, a prominent leader of the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, and destroyed his family’s temple.

Despite the scale of the violence, no action was taken against the rioters by Bangladeshi authorities. However, the Officer-in-Charge of the Dowarabazar police station, Zahidul Haque, confirmed that a 21-year-old Hindu youth, Akash Das, was detained for posting the image that allegedly offended Muslims. He was presented in court, charged with offending religious sentiments, and sent to jail without bail.

What about the sentiments of the Hindus whose homes were destroyed and temples desecrated? As is often the case, Bangladeshi authorities found no wrongdoing on the part of the attackers, and no action was taken against them. While Khokan Roy, the general secretary of the local temple, confirmed the theft of valuables worth 1.5 million Bangladeshi taka, and the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council condemned the attacks on minorities, the police under the Yunus government dismissed the incident. OC Zahidul stated that there were no reports of vandalism or attacks, claiming the village was remote with mostly dilapidated houses. Deputy Commissioner Md Ilias Mia hinted at possible premeditation but minimized the damage, suggesting it may have been exaggerated.

(This Article was originally published by Jihad Watch)