In recent months, the Hindu minority in Bangladesh has become a focal point of international concern and geopolitical maneuvering, particularly from India, where prominent political voices are calling for global intervention to protect this community. The recent comments by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Dattatreya Hosabale, urging the United Nations to shield Bangladeshi Hindus from alleged persecution, underscore the stakes. However, beneath the rhetoric lies a nuanced, complex reality of communal harmony, political strategy, and regional tension. The Hindu minority in Bangladesh—historically resilient and integral to its society—now faces not only challenges of security but also the risks of being used as a pawn in regional power plays.
By Tanim Jasim
A Legacy of Pluralism and Modern Challenges
Since its independence in 1971, Bangladesh has worked to enshrine the principles of secularism and equality in its constitution. Its founding ideals, forged through the Liberation War, emphasized the creation of a society where people of all religions, ethnicities, and backgrounds would have the freedom to live and prosper. Today, this vision continues to define the nation, and Bangladesh’s Hindu population, around 8% of the population, remains a vibrant component of the country’s cultural fabric.
Bangladesh has achieved a degree of communal harmony that distinguishes it from several neighboring states in South Asia. While no nation can claim a perfect record, Bangladesh’s approach to pluralism has resulted in relatively fewer incidents of large-scale communal violence when compared to some regional counterparts. In contrast, India, with its rising Hindutva (Hindu nationalism) under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has seen heightened communal tensions, especially targeting Muslims. Myanmar, another neighbor, saw a devastating campaign against the Muslim Rohingya, while Pakistan continues to grapple with religious extremism that has claimed thousands of lives.
Bangladesh’s relative success in maintaining interfaith harmony should not be overlooked, nor should its challenges be inflated. While incidents of violence have occurred, they are often met with swift condemnation from all levels of society, including Islamic political leaders and civil society. This quick response showcases the broader social commitment to maintaining inter-communal peace, a commitment that is often missing from narratives presented by external parties.
India’s Strategic Interests and the Politics of Humanitarianism
In recent years, Indian officials and media have amplified claims of rising violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, framing the nation as unsafe for its religious minorities. This portrayal came into sharp focus after Bangladesh’s recent political upheaval in August, with Indian outlets promoting a narrative of rampant Hindu persecution. Yet, Bangladeshi Hindus themselves have called out these portrayals as exaggerated, recognizing the harm these sensationalized narratives can bring to interfaith relations within Bangladesh.
The amplification of minority issues by Indian political leaders and media, however, raises pertinent questions about the motivations behind these assertions. India’s Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) of 2019 explicitly offers citizenship to persecuted minorities from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. On the surface, this policy is presented as a humanitarian effort to protect vulnerable populations. However, it also reflects an official position that Hindus face systemic discrimination in Bangladesh—an assertion that Bangladeshi officials have criticized as an inaccurate generalization of complex communal dynamics.
By positioning itself as the global protector of Hindus, India not only seeks to influence internal perceptions within Bangladesh but also to assert a geopolitical influence. India’s concern for Bangladeshi Hindus, framed in humanitarian terms, grants it a lever to shape Bangladesh’s political landscape, particularly as political changes threaten to disrupt India’s once-stable foothold in the region. For a sovereign nation like Bangladesh, this type of interference risks destabilizing intercommunal trust and complicates the country’s efforts to foster an inclusive national identity.
Weaponizing Religious Identity: Risks for Bangladesh’s Stability
The strategic framing of Bangladeshi Hindus as victims of religious persecution has real-world implications for Bangladesh’s national cohesion. If left unchecked, this narrative risks alienating the Hindu minority from mainstream Bangladeshi society, positioning them as “protected” by an external power rather than as equal citizens of Bangladesh. This division would fundamentally challenge Bangladesh’s aspirations of religious pluralism and peaceful coexistence, goals that have long been embedded in its national ethos.
Moreover, the external pressure from India places additional strain on Bangladesh’s internal political landscape. While both nations benefit from economic and security partnerships, these ties are increasingly overshadowed by India’s heightened engagement on Bangladeshi domestic issues. This interference creates a complex environment where, even as Bangladesh’s interim government seeks to reinforce protection for its Hindu citizens, it must also resist the perception that it is acting under foreign influence. The risk of alienating domestic constituencies grows, as does the perception of Hindus as a community separate from the national whole.
Fostering True Communal Harmony: Bangladesh’s Path Forward
To reinforce its commitment to all citizens and resist external manipulation, Bangladesh must focus on strengthening its internal frameworks for minority protection and communal harmony. Initiatives to protect religious sites, prosecute perpetrators of communal violence, and transparently address grievances are vital to maintaining intercommunal trust and stability. These measures are crucial not only to reassure minorities but also to bolster Bangladesh’s image as a society capable of managing its affairs without undue interference.
Equally important is the role of civil society and media in Bangladesh in countering divisive narratives. Religious leaders, community organizers, and activists have a unique role to play in cultivating an atmosphere of mutual respect and understanding, highlighting the moments of solidarity that define Bangladesh’s social fabric. By elevating examples of interfaith cooperation, such as Muslim citizens protecting Hindu temples or organizing joint celebrations, Bangladeshi media can showcase a narrative of unity that challenges foreign depictions of a divided society.
Bangladeshi Hindus, too, must recognize the broader forces at play. With a history that predates Bangladesh itself, the Hindu community is an essential part of the nation’s identity. By resisting divisive influences and working alongside other Bangladeshi citizens, Hindus can reinforce their role as intrinsic members of society, challenging narratives that seek to portray them as separate or under siege.
Bangladesh’s resilience as a democratic nation and its ability to manage religious diversity without external interference is key to its sovereignty. The weaponization of minority issues by powerful neighbors under the guise of humanitarianism complicates this pursuit, threatening to destabilize the country’s internal harmony and diminish its agency. While calls for the protection of Hindu minorities resonate globally, it is Bangladesh’s responsibility to address these concerns in a manner consistent with its own values and democratic principles.
Bangladesh’s success in managing its diverse society should serve as an example in the region, where religious intolerance and division have too often led to conflict and suffering. By upholding the principles of secularism, justice, and equality, Bangladesh can reinforce its standing as a tolerant, sovereign state. Embracing this mission will require vigilance against foreign narratives that undermine its unity, as well as a collective commitment among all Bangladeshi citizens to strengthen the country’s pluralistic identity.
Tanim Jasim, Assistant Professor, Department of Bangla, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh.