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Time of India
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
UK report downplays minority persecution in Bangladesh
New Delhi: A report released by the UK Home Office has claimed that the minorities in Bangladesh are unlikely to face persecution from state and non-state actors. The view contrasts sharply with the violence and the anti-minority stance adhered to by people allegedly close to the caretaker government in the country after Sheikh Hasina was ousted from power last year. The report, released this month, also claimed that people belonging to minority communities are unlikely to be arrested and charged for actions that can be construed as an insult to Islam. After Hasina resigned and fled her country in August last year, there have been several instances of violence targeting people of minority communities, especially the Hindus. India has been raising the issue of violence and persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh at the highest level. The UK report claimed that religious minorities can practice their faith freely throughout Bangladesh without harassment. It, however, said that there have been instances of sporadic communal violence, most recently tied to political upheaval, which continue to result in injuries, assaults, deaths and damage to property. Dhaka-based sources told ET that the minority communities in Bangladesh have been under duress ever since the Awami League was ousted from power, and there have been numerous instances of harassment, contrary to what the UK Home Office has claimed. During the August 2024 political unrest in Bangladesh , members of minority religious groups faced harassment and violence. However, according to the report, many cases were politically motivated rather than based on religious differences.
Muscat Daily
4 days ago
- Politics
- Muscat Daily
Is Bangladesh ready for a ‘credible' election?
Dhaka, Bangladesh – Bangladesh's interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, recently met the leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which is expected to be the frontrunner in elections next year. Tarique Rahman, who has lived in exile in the United Kingdom for over 15 years, is the acting chairman of the BNP, a major party which his mother, ex-Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, led for decades. The meeting in the UK capital London was held amid rising tensions in Bangladesh, which has been locked in a tense political limbo since an uprising culminated in former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation in August 2024. Reforms needed before elections The BNP wanted an election by December 2025, while the interim government had been aiming for April 2026, saying it needs time to implement a host of reforms. Yunus and Rahman have now agreed that polls could be held in February – if sufficient progress on reforms is made. These include constitutional reforms, changes to the electoral process and boosting judicial independence and press freedoms. Authorities also need to deliver justice for the victims of last year's mass protests, in which hundreds were killed, mostly by the security forces loyal to Hasina and her Awami League. Tasnim Jara, a leader of the National Citizen Party (NCP), newly formed by the student leaders of last year's protests, thinks that while the government has taken initial steps for an election, 'institutional readiness remains uneven'. 'Key election infrastructure, such as an impartial election commission, a neutral civil administration, and an independent judiciary, requires urgent reform. A credible election will depend on whether the political parties can agree on a reform package soon and whether that package is visibly implemented in time,' she told DW. While the agreement between the BNP and Yunus is a welcome development for many observers, they say that the restoration of law and order to allow for a credible election that includes all major parties remains a priority. Saimum Parvez, a special assistant to the BNP Chairman, thinks that 'the dismal law and order situation, unchecked unruly mobs, and encouragement of depoliticisation' are the obstacles. 'However, as common people of Bangladesh are usually enthusiastic about participating and engaging in electoral campaigns, it is possible to overcome these obstacles with community support,' he told DW. The Dhaka-based political historiographer Mohiuddin Ahmed, however, was less optimistic. 'Bangladeshi political parties don't behave peacefully during elections. They tend to use force whenever possible to control polling centres. Maintaining an orderly situation during the polls will be challenging if the administrations and police forces don't work properly,' he told DW. Former government and security officials face criminal charges A UN fact-finding mission this year found that officials from Bangladesh's former government and security apparatus had systematically committed serious human rights violations against protesters last summer and that crimes against humanity may have been carried out. Hundreds of cases have been filed against Hasina and her allies since she fled to India on August 5, 2024. Her Awami League party claims that the cases are politically motivated. Observers say that the country's security forces have lost credibility since last year's crackdown, which has contributed to the deteriorating security situation. Naomi Hossain, a political sociologist and a professor at London's SOAS University, said that Bangladesh was tough to govern and that order had always been 'difficult to achieve'. 'It is one reason why people put up with Sheikh Hasina so long – at least she wielded the power to maintain some semblance of order, violent and repressive though it was for anyone who wanted to dissent,' Hossain told DW. She added that given the political vacuum since Hasina's ouster, it was 'no surprise' that law and order was currently 'a problem'. 'I think that the army is probably feeling the need to act with caution given the human rights violations they allegedly participated in last year. That means not being too heavy-handed with the mobs and Islamist gangs we see news reports about,' she said. Maintaining law and order Bangladesh's interim government has empowered army officers with the rank of captain or higher to help police maintain law and order in the country. However, Tasnim Jara, a former doctor who is now a politician, told DW that the army's deployment had not resolved the crisis and only 'exposed deeper issues'. 'State-sanctioned violence and repression over the past 16 years deeply undermined public trust and destabilised the foundations of governance,' Jara said, calling for that legacy to be addressed. 'Lasting stability will only come through institutional reform of the police and security agencies. We have yet to see these reforms,' she added. Ban on Awami League The Awami League was banned last month pending trials by a special tribunal into the party and its leaders for alleged crimes against humanity and human rights violations. But observers, including Hossain, think Bangladesh's oldest party should be allowed to participate in the upcoming polls because it still enjoys broad support, despite the fact that many of its leaders are 'credibly accused of numerous crimes'. 'The party is a huge national body and still seems to command a lot of support across the country, perhaps particularly in rural areas and among minority groups and women. Banning them serves no good purpose,' Hossain told DW. She warned that such a move would likely lead to 'a super-majority landslide' for the BNP, 'who will then be empowered to behave exactly as the Awami League did when it won its super-majority back in 2008'. Jara, on the other hand, thinks that before the Awami League can be allowed to participate in elections, its leaders must first be held accountable for their alleged human rights violations which include 'enforced disappearances, torture, election rigging, and widespread killings'. 'A credible legal process must address these before any accused entity can participate. If justice is bypassed, it will destroy public trust and risk returning the country to the very repression people rose up against. No party can be above the law,' she told DW. DW
DW
5 days ago
- Politics
- DW
Is Bangladesh ready for a credible election? – DW – 06/16/2025
After former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's fall following mass protests last year, Bangladesh is preparing to hold elections. While the interim government promises a credible poll, law and order remain a concern. Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus met in London on Friday with the leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) that is expected to be the frontrunner in elections next year. Tarique Rahman, who has been living in exile in the United Kingdom for over 15 years, is the acting chairman of the BNP, a major party founded by his mother, ex-Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. Their meeting in London was held amid rising tensions in Bangladesh, which has been locked in a tense political limbo since an uprising last year culminated in former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation in August. Reforms needed before elections The BNP has been calling for an election by December, while the interim government was eyeing polls for April 2026, saying it needs time to implement a host of reforms. After their meeting, Yunus and Rahman agreed that polls could be held in February — if sufficient progress on reforms is made. These include constitutional reforms, changes to the electoral process and boosting judicial independence and press freedoms. The student-led protests last summer gripped Bangladesh for weeks [FILE: July 31, 2024] Image: Rajib Dhar/AP/picture alliance Authorities also need to deliver justice for the victims of last year's mass protests, in which hundreds of protesters were killed, mostly by the security forces loyal to Hasina and her Awami League. Tasnim Jara, a leader of the National Citizen Party (NCP), newly formed by the student leaders of last year's protests, thinks that while the government has taken initial steps for an election, "institutional readiness remains uneven." "Key election infrastructure, such as an impartial election commission, a neutral civil administration, and an independent judiciary, requires urgent reform. A credible election will depend on whether the political parties can agree on a reform package soon and whether that package is visibly implemented in time," she told DW. While the London agreement is a welcome development for the country, the restoration of law and order to allow for a credible election that includes all major parties remains a priority. Saimum Parvez, a special assistant to the BNP Chairman, thinks that "the dismal law and order situation, unchecked unruly mobs, and encouragement of depoliticization" are the obstacles. "However, as common people of Bangladesh are usually enthusiastic about participating and engaging in electoral campaigns, it is possible to overcome these obstacles with community support," he told DW. Dhaka-based political historiographer Mohiuddin Ahmed, however, is less optimistic. "Bangladeshi political parties don't behave peacefully during elections. They tend to use force whenever possible to control polling centers. Maintaining an orderly situation during the polls will be challenging if the administrations and police forces don't work properly," he told DW. Bangladesh's ousted prime minister triggers fresh outrage To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Former government and security officials face criminal charges A UN fact-finding mission this year found that officials from Bangladesh's former government and security apparatus systematically committed serious human rights violations against protesters last summer and that crimes against humanity may have been carried out. Hundreds of cases have been filed against Hasina and her allies since she fled to India on August 5, 2024. Her Awami League party claims that the cases were politically motivated. To many observers, the country's security forces have lost credibility over last year's crackdown, which has contributed to the deteriorating security situation. Naomi Hossain, a political sociologist and a professor at London's SOAS University, acknowledges that Bangladesh is tough to govern and that order has always been "difficult to achieve." "It is one reason why people put up with Sheikh Hasina so long — at least she wielded the power to maintain some semblance of order, violent and repressive though it was for anyone who wanted to dissent," Hossain told DW. She added that given the political vacuum since Hasina's ouster, it is "no surprise" that law and order has been "a problem." "I think that the army is probably feeling the need to act with caution given the human rights violations they allegedly participated in last year. That means not being too heavy-handed with the mobs and Islamist gangs we see news reports about," she said. The political vacuum has led to deteriorating security in Bangladesh Image: DW Military brought in to tackle lawlessness Since last summer, Bangladesh's interim government has empowered army officers with the rank of captain or higher to help police maintain law and order in the country. However, Tasnim Jara, a former doctor who is now a politician, told DW that the army's deployment did not resolve the crisis and has only "exposed deeper issues." "State-sanctioned violence and repression over the past 16 years deeply undermined public trust and destabilized the foundations of governance," Jara said, calling for that legacy to be addressed. "Lasting stability will only come through institutional reform of the police and security agencies. We have yet to see these reforms," she added. Will the Awami League be able to take part in the election? The Awami League was banned last month pending trials by a special tribunal into the party and its leaders for alleged crimes against humanity and human rights violations. But observers like Naomi Hossain think Bangladesh's oldest party should be allowed to participate in the upcoming polls because it still enjoys broad support, despite the fact that many of its leaders are "credibly accused of numerous crimes." Bangladeshi women's rights proposals face Islamist backlash To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video "The party is a huge national body and still seems to command a lot of support across the country, perhaps particularly in rural areas and among minority groups and women. Banning them serves no good purpose," Hossain told DW. She warned that such a move would likely lead to "a super-majority landslide" for the BNP, "who will then be empowered to behave exactly as the Awami League did when it won its super-majority back in 2008." Tasnim Jara, on the other hand, thinks that before the Awami League can be allowed to participate in elections, its leaders must first be held accountable for their alleged human rights violations which include "enforced disappearances, torture, election rigging, and widespread killings." "A credible legal process must address these before any accused entity can participate. If justice is bypassed, it will destroy public trust and risk returning the country to the very repression people rose up against. No party can be above the law," she told DW. Edited by: Karl Sexton
India Today
12-06-2025
- India Today
Mob vandalises Rabindranath Tagore's ancestral mansion in Bangladesh
The ancestral home of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, known as Rabindra Kacharibari, in Bangladesh's Sirajganj district, was attacked and vandalised by a mob on Tuesday. The attack, which targeted the auditorium and other parts of the heritage site, vandalising window panes, doors, and furniture, was triggered by an altercation between a visitor and the staff over a motorcycle parking fee on Sunday (June 8), according to media the attack, authorities shut down the site and formed a probe panel to investigate the incident.A case was lodged on Wednesday (June 11) against 50–60 individuals, including 10 named accused, in connection with the mob attack on the historic site, reported the Dhaka-based Daily Star. Rabindra Kacharibari, literally meaning "Tagore's estate office home", was where Rabindranath Tagore's family oversaw their estate in Sirajganj's Shahzadpur upazila. Now the mansion serves as a memorial museum. The mansion, purchased by Rabindranath Tagore's father, was visited by the poet multiple times, during which he stayed and wrote parts of several of his June 8, Bangladeshi expatriate Shah Newaz visited the Kachharibari with his family, where he got into an altercation with an employee at the entrance over a motorcycle parking fee, Bangladeshi daily New Age Newaz was allegedly locked up in an office room and physically by the incident, locals staged a protest by forming a human chain on demonstration was followed by a mob attack on the auditorium in the premises of Rabindra Kacharibari, during which the director of the institution was also assaulted.(The story will be updated soon)
India Today
09-06-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Trapped in tight spot, Yunus govt bans rallies in Dhaka's power centre
While Bangladesh's interim government under Muhammad Yunus is facing intense protests from opposition parties, civil servants, teachers, and amid signs of discontent with the army, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has imposed a sweeping ban on all public gatherings, processions, and rallies in the capital's seat of power. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police on Monday sealed off the Jamuna Guest House, the official residence of Muhammad Yunus, along with the Bangladesh Secretariat and surrounding areas for an indefinite period, reported The Daily security clampdown comes amid weeks of sustained protests by civil servants and officials at the Dhaka Secretariat against a Yunus government ordinance that permits their dismissal for misconduct within 14 days, without due process. Civil servants labelled it an "unlawful black law" and demanded its immediate ban on protests and rallies in the Central Dhaka locality, according to DMP Commissioner SM Sazzat Ali, is "in the interest of public order and the security of the chief advisor [Muhammad Yunus]", reported latest protest ban in central Dhaka follows a similar directive issued on May 10, when the interim government deployed paramilitary forces, including the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the police's SWAT units, to secure key government now, Eid might have brought a temporary pause to the intensity of protests, but civil servants have warned of a tougher movement if their demands are not met by June 15, reported the Dhaka-based interim government, led by Yunus, in power since August 8, 2024, is grappling with mounting challenges and protests. Yunus has promised sweeping judicial and institutional reforms, and free elections by the first week of April announcement on the polls, however, has fuelled speculation that he may be trying to stay in power without elections. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has been staging large-scale protests, demanding a clear election timeline, while the army, led by Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman, has also pushed for polls by December to the pushback from the army and the BNP, the protesting civil servants on May 27 threatened to expand their agitation to government offices nationwide if their demands are not met, reported Prothom Islam, the co-chairman of the Bangladesh Secretariat Officers-Employees Unity Forum, said that the protests would become more intense in the later, thousands of primary school teachers across Bangladesh rose up in an indefinite strike, demanding higher wages, among several other now, Bangladesh may be witnessing a temporary lull during the week-long Eid break, but protests are expected to intensify once the holidays discontent simmering and protests getting intense in Bangladesh, Yunus' interim government is finding itself in an increasingly tricky position. With each crackdown, Yunus might be risking public mistrust and widening the fissures within Bangladesh's already fragile political state of InMust Watch advertisement
