At least 42 instances of communal unrest, which included 11 fatalities and a sexual assault, were documented nationwide in January, prompting concerns about the welfare of religious and cultural minority groups in light of the upcoming national election, as disclosed by the Hindu Bouddha Christian Oikya Parishad.
The incidents, cataloged up to January 27, encompassed nine assaults on religious sites, 21 occurrences of aggression, theft, property seizure, and vandalism targeting minority residences and enterprises, as reported during a press briefing held at the Jatiya Press Club.
In an official statement, Monindra Kumar Nath, the acting general secretary of the organization, revealed that a total of 522 incidents were documented across the country over the past year. Among these were 61 fatalities, 28 instances of violence against women such as rape and gang rape, 95 assaults on places of worship involving desecration, theft, and arson, 102 attacks on residences and commercial establishments, 38 cases of abduction, extortion, and abuse, 47 episodes of intimidation and physical attacks, 36 detentions and mistreatment over allegations of religious disrespect, and 66 instances of forcible confiscation of land, residences, and businesses.
Nath emphasized that minority community members desire to exercise their voting rights but continue to harbor apprehensions regarding their safety, livelihood, assets, and honor, which have not been adequately addressed.
He attributed the potential deterrence of minority voters to the government, administration, Election Commission, and political parties and criticized the implementation of ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ votes in the referendum system for excluding secularism as a foundational principle of state governance. He expressed disappointment and concern over the perceived bias in favor of this system by the government and Election Commission.
The Oikya Parishad outlined seven demands, including ensuring fair opportunities for minority candidates and voters, prohibiting the exploitation of religion and communal sentiments in election campaigns, deploying appropriate law enforcement measures, potentially involving the military, and designating minority-concentrated regions as high-risk zones with increased surveillance.
Furthermore, they advocated for a strict prohibition on election campaigning at places of worship and called for the classification of hate speech, incitement, and the spread of communal falsehoods as criminal offenses subject to specialized legislation.
The organization urged the Election Commission and pertinent authorities to take resolute action to instill confidence among minority voters in anticipation of the elections.
