Hazari Gali, a predominantly Hindu area in Chittagong, is known for its business activities involving Hindu merchants. Recently, a Muslim businessman named Osman Ali sparked tensions by posting provocative content on Facebook. He was previously warned for his offensive remarks against Hinduism; however, this didn’t stop him from making insinuating comments. On November 4th, he called ISKCON a "terrorist organisation" in a Facebook post, which further fuelled unrest.

In response, the Hindu community in Hazari Gali gathered to protest Osman Ali’s comments by surrounding his shop. Instead of addressing the issue peacefully, the Bangladesh Army intervened, providing protection to Osman Ali and forcibly dispersing the Hindu protesters with sticks. The situation initially calmed down, but tensions remained high. 

At approximately 10 PM on November 5th, the situation escalated further. The Bangladesh Army and police launched a brutal crackdown on the Hindu community in Hazari Gali. Many Hindus are reportedly trapped in the area, and attacks on them continue. The authorities are allegedly using tactics such as breaking CCTV cameras and preventing any kind of recording of the event that can serve as evidence of their actions.

Armed forces have been seen destroying Hindu-owned shops, particularly those with valuable items such as gold. There are reports of gunfire and violent assaults on businesses and individuals.

Local reports indicate that two army vehicles abducted Hindus from the area near Laldighir Pond. Five Hindus were killed in this brutal crackdown by the law enforcement agencies. Seven people are missing and over 200 Hindus were arrested.  

A sense of hopelessness has down descended on the Bangladeshi Hindus who are at the receiving end of the violent crackdown with some voicing the sentiment, "The incidents of March 25, 1971, repeats itself in Chittagong on November 6, 2024”.

Osman Ali is associated with Jamaat-e-Islami, a political party with a history of controversial actions. His inflammatory posts and the subsequent violence have raised concerns about the growing religious intolerance in the region. 

There are claims that many members of the army deployed in the operation have links to extremist groups, contributing to the severity of the crackdown. The joint operation between the army and police has been described as a coordinated effort to suppress the local Hindu population.

The situation in Hazari Gali is seen as part of a broader campaign by extremist groups to target and eliminate Hindu, Buddhist, and indigenous communities in Bangladesh. Reports suggest that these groups are specifically focused on areas like Hazari Gali, which is home to a significant Hindu business community.

The Hindu community in Hazari Gali faces ongoing danger, and human rights organisations are calling for urgent intervention to protect them from further violence. The actions of the army and police in this situation raise serious concerns about state complicity in religious persecution, and there is a growing demand for accountability and justice for the victims.

The situation in Hazari Gali is a clear example of escalating religious violence, with authorities reportedly siding with the aggressors rather than protecting the vulnerable. The ongoing brutality underscores the urgent need for national and international attention to ensure the safety of the Hindu population and prevent further escalation of religious intolerance in Bangladesh.

Image provided by the author.