Shafiqul Alam, the press secretary of the Muhammad Yunus-led government in Bangladesh, has asserted that Hindus are safer under the current regime than during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure.
Speaking to India Today, Alam refuted allegations of rising attacks on minorities, calling reports of persecution an “industrial scale misinformation campaign” originating from Indian media.
The fall of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government in August marked a turbulent time for Bangladesh’s Hindu community. A series of attacks on temples and arrests of Hindu priests have sparked widespread protests. Despite these events, Alam downplayed concerns, stating, “Hindus are well protected here. They are more protected than they were during Sheikh Hasina’s regime.”
He acknowledged isolated incidents, including an attack on a temple in Chittagong and attempted assaults on three ISKCON centres last week. In response, he highlighted increased security measures to safeguard religious institutions. “We are here to establish the human rights of every Bangladeshi irrespective of gender, ethnicity, race, and colour,” Alam said.
ISKCON Under Scrutiny
Denying any crackdown on ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), Alam insisted that the government had deployed troops to protect its temples and allowed Hindus to celebrate Durga Puja peacefully. “Have we banned ISKCON? No. We sent troops to guard ISKCON temples,” he emphasized.
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This statement contrasts with recent developments, including comments by Bangladesh’s attorney general labeling ISKCON a “fundamentalist organization” and subsequent freezing of bank accounts linked to 17 ISKCON members. A plea to ban the organization was rejected by the courts, but these moves have fueled concerns about the group’s future in the country.
Allegations Against Indian Media
Alam accused Indian media of selective reporting, alleging that atrocities against Hindus during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure went unnoticed. “There is not a single report from any Indian media or diaspora group about the widespread atrocities during that period,” he claimed.
The Yunus government faces mounting scrutiny as tensions between the Hindu minority and the administration escalate. While Alam has promised protections for all religious communities, critics argue that the recent unrest and targeted actions against ISKCON reflect deeper issues of religious intolerance in Bangladesh.
As the situation unfolds, both domestic and international observers are keeping a close eye on Bangladesh’s treatment of minorities and its commitment to safeguarding human rights.
