Introduction:

The ouster of Sheikh Hasina, the premier of Bangladesh and the swearing-in of Dr. Muhammad Yunus as Head of the Interim Government, changed the total political scenario in that country and the radical fundamentalist of Islam Religion, unleashed the reign of terror on the minorities, especially, to the Hindus, residing at different parts of the country. The looting, ransacking, ruthless torturing and even killing of the minorities reminded the story of the dreaded riot that erupted during the time of India's independence when the Hindus were driven out of their motherland by the Islam extremists from Pakistan. Thus, the Hindu population were decimated in both East and West Pakistan significantly.

With the birth of Bangladesh, it was presumed and expected that the new country would deviate from hardliner and allow the minorities to follow their religion and faith without any disturbances. This expectation was bolded when the Bangladesh Constitution guaranteed equal status and rights of all religions with the state religion Islam and committed to secularism in the country.

One of the four pillars of the Constitution is Secularism which was well maintained under the leadership of Sheikh Mujibur Rahaman, the father of the nation, but the situation turned to a remarkable change to religious fundamentalism after the unfortunate killing of Sk. Mujibur.

Since, the murder of the nation's father, the country's ruler opened their weapons to the minorities and the minority Hindus had been prosecuted time and again. After continuing the atrocity for some decades situation became normal when the exiled Mujib's daughter, Sk. Hasina took the charge of the country. She was very disciplined and obedient to the Constitution and allowed all religions equal status with Islam, and people, in general, were happy.

Due to good administration and sagacity, she not only maintained communal harmony but the country showed prosperity in each and every sphere, starting from food production to manufacturing goods, from the textile industry to export, thus economic growth and stability were also observed. She did not hesitate to take punitive measures against the miscreants and fundamentalists, thus the hard-liners were at bay. She even banned the ultra radicals, Jamat-e-Islami, from all activities including to barring them from election contests.

The country was progressing. She was returning to power every five years by people's vote but many people expressed dissatisfaction with her authoritarian attitude. She became unparallel for her political acumen and the minorities were happy while the fundamentalists gruelling.

The otherwise calm Bangladesh suddenly became violent over the protest of the controversial Reservation Policy. The students of Bangladesh, apolitically, hit the street to reverse the order but due to some unknown reason, Madam Hasina did not agree to the demand and the movement got further momentum. This apolitical movement got the support from all communities and even the minority Hindus were also active in the protest.

The Supreme Court intervened and the order was modified but by that time the students' upsurge demanded Hasinas's resignation. Till then, it was an apolitical movement, restricted to Reservation Policy but now it has become political.

Scores of students thronged the street, police failed to control them, the army declined to be on the road to resist, and Hasina lost her grip and had to flee to India on 5th August 2024.

With the fall of the government, the student leaders demanded to dissolution of the parliament and invited Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus to head the Interim Government. President Mohammad Sahabuddin Chuppu acquiesced to both demands and invited Dr. Muhammad Yunus to head the Interim Government. Dr. Yunus accepted the offer and assumed the charge on 8th August 2024, after returning from France, just after three days of Hasina's fleeing.

Who is Muhammad Yunus? Why has he become a choice?

Yunus is a noted economist, entrepreneur, social activist, teacher, writer, educationist and a great statesman. He held many coveted positions like Chancellor of the University, a member of the UN women's health care committee, a founding member of the Global Elders which was chaired by Nelson Mandela, a member ofthe  Legion d'Honneur of France and many such bodies.

He was accommodated with a number of national and international medals. Got the President's Award, from Bangladesh, and Magsaysay Award from the US, Sweden, Jordon and many other countries.

He was named one of the 12 greatest entrepreneurs of the current era by Fortune Magazine in the year 2012.

Has been awarded an honorary doctorate by many universities around the world including India.

Recently, he played a key role in the 2024 Paris Olympics, promoting social business principles and encouraging sustainable, socially responsible projects.

Above all, he was awarded the most prestigious Nobel Prize for Peace, in the year 2006, for his Microcredit theory and foundation of Grameen Bank to alleviate poverty and empowerment of poor, mainly women. With the successful implementation of the programme, he became an icon and many countries started following his theory of Microcredit.

Most probably, because of his achievements, popularity and anti-Hasina face, the agitators believed that he would be the most suitable person to head the Interim Government.

Why did Dr. Yunus accept the offer?

Dr. Yunus is undoubtedly a knowledgeable personality but controversy also loomed around him. He was accused of misappropriating funding from Grameen Bank and was sued in the court by Sheikh Hasina government. Md. Yunus was then removed from the post of Managing Director, at Grameen Bank, citing that he crossed the superannuated age of 60 years. This was challenged by the Nobel Laureate but the government's decision was upheld by the court. These differences might have been the reason for his nomination by an agitating group and Prof. Yunus also most likely accepted the offer for his anti-Hasina feelings.

How was Law and Order after the ousting of Sheikh Hasina on 5th August 2024?

Prime Minister Hasina had been deposed but arson and killing did not stop. The movement took a different turn. The fundamentalist, in disguise, started spreading anti-Indian and anti-Awami League narratives. They encouraged the outrageous people to burn the Hindu Temples, ravage the Hindu Houses, torch the Hindu Property, and kill the Hindus mercilessly. Dr. Yunus promised that his first priority would be to restore normalcy and to bring harmony which was very encouraging and was found in the same tune that he delivered in his Nobel Prize Awarding speech in 2006 when he said that only peace can solve all problems. All, including the Bangladeshi Hindus, India and the entire world were hoping for his quick action for restoring normalcy.

What did minority Hindus expect from Yunus?

The Hindus expected that a man who won the Nobel Prize in Peace would definitely come to their help. But that did not happen. The miscreants, in groups, came to the minority house, beating them, looting their belongings, demanding money for extortion and openly threatening their lives. The Hindus were confined to their houses and could not come to the street. The fundamentalists created a fearful atmosphere. From the government office, the Hindu employees were dismissed and chucked out. The teachers and professors were hacked by the militants and forced to quit. The Hindus were pushed against the wall. The Jamats who were banned during Hasina's tenure, are now free as the ban has been lifted. Dr. Yunus was also acquitted of all charges by the court.

Dr. Yunus's Reaction:

Dr. Yunus remained silent on the atrocities and refused to term them as communal. The entire world including the UK, USA, of course, India, raised their voice against Hindu killings but the Bangladesh Government refuted all the charges instead of protesting India's unexpected interference in their internal affairs.

What did Hindus do?

The vandalism took such a severe violent turn that the decimated 8% of Hindus in the 170 million population were instead of not confining into their houses formed Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jote, in desperate, is staging protests in different parts of the country including at Dhaka and Port City Chattogram.

The Hindus thronged the street in thousands, raised their voices and expressed their determination not to leave their motherland anymore. This is the first time, Bangladesh saw Hindus on the street which was never noticed since 1947.

This Sanatani Jote was organising one after another rally, staging protests under the able leadership of pious Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a monk of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) origin.

Who is Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari?

Brahmachari Das is a Hindu Vaishnavite monk. He was associated with ISKCON but recently has been expelled but still has his lineage to the Vaishnavites. He is a very good orator, a very good organiser and can put demands fearlessly for legal protection. The Jote submitted eight-point demands to the Government for consideration.

What are the demands:

• Establishment of a Special Tribunal for swift trials in case of minority persecution, including compensation and rehabilitation for victims.
• Enactment of a Minority Protection Law, to ensure security and rights for minority communities.
• Creation of a Ministry of Affairs, to address the specific needs and issues of minority groups.
• Laws to recover and Protect Debottar (Temple) Properties, alongside proper enforcement of vested property act.
• Prayer Rooms in Educational Institutions, to accommodate minority religious practices in all schools, colleges and hostels.
• To increase educational resources for establishing modern Sanskrit and Pali Education Board.
• To give five days holiday for Durga Puja.
• Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian welfare trust to be elevated to foundation.

Police arrest of the monk Chinmoy Krishna:

The Hindu group when staging protests and demanding justice at different parts of the country, then suddenly their leader, Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari was arrested at the main Dhaka airport on his way to Chattogram, adding fuel to the agitation.

Talebur Rahaman, the police spokesperson, when was asked about the charges for which the monk arrested, did not give any details of the fact, but the sources revealed that the monk was accused of disrespecting Bangladesh's national flag at a rally he addressed in October at the port city, Chattogram when a group of rally goers hoisted a saffron flag above the Bangladesh flag on a pillar. This was seen as a disrespect to the National Flag.

The sedition charge levelled against the monk and eighteen others was stated by the agitators as baseless and politically motivated.

Reactions from World Leaders:

The refusal of bail by the court and keeping the monk in jail created furore all over the world. The ISKCON authority took up the matter with the different heads of state.

US President Joe Biden, and President-elect, Donald Trump, expressed their annoyance and asked the Bangladesh Government to take appropriate measures. Bob Blackman, a British MP, raised his concern in the Parliament and drew attention to the protection of Hindus in Bangladesh. Different Human Rights Commission of the world are also in touch with the Bangladesh Government and keeping a close watch on the situation.

India's Activity:

India's External Affairs Minister, was issuing strong letters to Bangladesh and made a speech in the Indian Parliament, describing the fearsome condition of Bangladeshi Hindus. He assured the house that India would leave no stone unturned for the protection of the Bangladeshi Hindus.

Conclusion:

The situation is still tense. Bangladesh's Government is not taking any remedial measures and does not recognise the violence as Communal. The country appears to be driven by the hardliner fundamentalists but now the Hindus are also determined to fight back. This is the first time, since 1947, the Hindus have garnered the courage to face the State-sponsored rioters.

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