Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council has recorded 133 instances of communal unrest throughout the nation in the initial quarter of 2026. A press statement released today revealed that from January 1 to March 31, the media documented 25 homicides, four cases of sexual assault and violence against women, 35 attacks and robberies at religious sites, and 69 other occurrences, including assaults on the indigenous population.
As per the Unity Council’s findings, January witnessed 46 incidents, including 11 homicides, one case of sexual assault, nine attacks on religious sites, one assault on the indigenous community, three instances of land encroachment, one extortion case, and 20 episodes of assault, theft, vandalism, threats, and robbery.
February saw a total of 50 incidents, which encompassed eight homicides, one case of sexual assault, 15 attacks on religious sites, one incident based on alleged blasphemy, six land encroachment cases, one abduction, and 18 other occurrences of assault, robbery, vandalism, threats, and looting.
In March, there were 37 recorded incidents, including six homicides, two cases of sexual assault or harassment, 11 attacks on religious sites, one incident based on blasphemy accusations, one assault on the indigenous community, four land encroachment cases, and 12 other occurrences of assault, robbery, vandalism, threats, and looting.
Acting as the general secretary of the Unity Council, Manindra Kumar Nath expressed that minority groups had anticipated a decline in violence following the formation of the BNP-led administration; however, the ongoing attacks have left communities anxious and apprehensive. The Council has called for the arrest and stringent punishment of perpetrators, compensation for victims, and medical care for the injured.
Furthermore, they have urged the government to meet an eight-point demand, which includes the implementation of a law for safeguarding minorities, the establishment of a ministry for minorities, and the creation of a national commission for minorities.
