Dhaka’s political upheaval has unleashed a wave of violence against minorities. Since Sheikh Hasina’s ouster and the interim government under Muhammad Yunus took over, Islamic extremist groups have exploited the administrative vacuum to target Hindus and Christians with alarming frequency. A recent report highlights the dire situation facing Christian families, who are now pleading for government protection amid escalating assaults.
In the southern Satkhira district’s Tetulia village, five Catholic families affiliated with St. Francis Xavier Church staged a human chain protest on January 1. This bold demonstration came right after Christmas, underscoring their desperation. According to the Catholic news site Crux, these families have endured at least four attacks from local Muslims over the past year.
Victim Sabuj Golder recounted the horror: ‘Just after Christmas, around 50 people armed with local weapons attacked us. We’re only five Christian families here.’ He emphasized their citizenship: ‘We may be a minority, but we deserve justice and security to live peacefully.’
The conflicts stem from ongoing land disputes between the Christian families and neighboring Muslim households. A local Christian religious teacher told Crux that attacks intensified around Christmas due to these tensions. Efforts are underway to resolve matters through dialogue with political leaders.
The families also reported that attackers prevented their children from attending school classes on January 1, even as books were distributed for the new year. Local police officer Jahangir Hossain confirmed the incidents and stated that resolutions are being pursued at administrative levels.
This isn’t isolated. A December report from Union of Catholic Asian News detailed growing fears among Bangladesh’s Christians, including multiple attacks on church institutions in Dhaka over recent months. As the nation grapples with instability, the interim government’s ability to safeguard minorities remains under intense scrutiny. Calls for robust security measures are growing louder, with victims warning that without intervention, communal harmony could erode further.
