Chittagong, Bangladesh, November 27, 2024 — Tensions ran high in the port city of Chittagong on Tuesday as Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari remained in custody for his alleged offenses of disrespecting the national flag at a rally Monday. His arrest sparked riots, with the angry crowd clashing with police officers. According to reports from the authorities, at least 21 people were arrested in connection with vandalism and assault on policemen during the violence.
Protests erupted after Brahmachari, a vocal leader of a newly formed Hindu group advocating for the rights of the Hindu minority, was denied bail. The situation escalated further as protesters threw rocks at law enforcers while the latter used tear gas. Amid the chaos, a public prosecutor, Saiful Islam Alif, was killed.
Turbulent Religious Relations Amid Political Crisis
Religious tensions have been simmering in Bangladesh, a majority Muslim country of 170 million people, since the ousting of long-time autocratic Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The August revolution, spearheaded by students, drove Hasina out of the country to India, which only left the country in more political mire. Revenge attacks on the Hindu community have been widespread as some Hindus were perceived as having been the supporters of Hasina’s regime. This has further intensified the already strained relations between Muslim and Hindu groups in the country.
Brahmachari’s group, which is leading protests calling for greater protection of Bangladesh’s Hindu minority, has gained traction in recent weeks. The Hindu population in Bangladesh is approximately 8% of the total population, and Brahmachari’s calls for their protection have drawn both support and criticism.
Police Arrests, Including Awami League Members
At least 21 suspects were picked by the police who took part in Tuesday’s violence, according to sources. This includes the Awami League party of Hasina, besides students of Chhatra League, a student body wing of the same party banned just a few hours before as protesters went on rampage with crude petrol bombs in hand, according to police. The arrests were witnessed under the supervision of Muhammad Yunus, the 84-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate who has taken an interim role of leadership after Hasina’s overthrow.
Yunus, in a statement released on Wednesday, asked people of Bangladesh to remain calm, while assuring that the government would not let communal harmony decline.
The interim leader assured the public that the authorities will take all necessary steps in the country to ensure that there is peace, having its religious and political horizons change drastically in recent months.
Calm Returns But Tensions Remain High
Despite the chaos in Chittagong, reports were that both Chittagong and the capital Dhaka were calm on Wednesday. However, political and religious tensions are simmering, with both Muslim and Hindu groups rallying in counter-demonstrations. The coming days will test the government’s actions in maintaining order and its commitment to preserving communal harmony as the political situation continues to evolve.