Urge Univ to take action against derogatory posts targeting minorities

A group of Dhaka University (DU) students under the banners of 'Hindu Students of Dhaka University' and the 'Bangladesh United Sanatani Awakening Alliance' on Friday staged a demonstration on campus against objectionable  remarks on their religion.

The students are protesting against derogatory remarks about Hinduism and a deity, made by a fellow student on social media, local media reported. The students demanded suspension and exemplary punishment for the accused. They further urged the university to take institutional measures to prevent misinterpretation of Sanatan Dharma in classrooms.

Additional demands include preventing teachers from misinterpreting Hinduism during literary analysis classes and taking action against derogatory posts targeting minorities on the university's 'Dhaka Bissobiddaloy Shikkharthi Sangsad' Facebook group,  according  to the The Daily Star.

The accused, Md Abu Sayem, a student from the Department of Bangla at Dhaka University has been continuously making derogatory comments about Hinduism. These comments have upset the Hindu community from the university and Bangladesh. Some protesters expressed their anger, stating that their religious values were not respected, and questioning why there are no steps taken when minority religions are offended, Dhaka Tribune reported.

Various rights groups, eminent citizens, and socio-cultural organisations in Bangladesh have earlier condemned the violence, specifically targeting Hindus, in different parts of the nation, after the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

According to a report of Dhaka-based human rights organisation, Ain O Salish Kendra (AsK), there are reports of a total of 147 incidents of vandalising houses, temples, and business establishments of the Hindu community across the country. Some 408 households were vandalised in these incidents, including 36 cases of arson. 

In September 2024, daily Prothom Alo reported that after the fall of the Awami League government led by Hasina, there have been several incidents of attacks on minority communities all over the country, particularly on the Hindus. In many areas houses, business establishments, and places of worship of Hindus, Christians and Buddhists have come under attack, damaged extensively, and even set on fire in certain instances.