Hindu boy hacked to death in Bangladesh police station over blasphemous post, Muhammad Yunus says, attacks are ‘exaggerated’
- In Reports
- 12:53 PM, Sep 06, 2024
- Myind Staff
A 15-year-old Hindu boy in Bangladesh was reportedly beaten and hacked to death by a mob inside a police station after being accused of making "objectionable comments" about Prophet Muhammad on social media.
In a post on X, the Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities wrote, “A college student, Utsav Mandol (a Hindu Youth), was hacked to death at #Khulna City of #Bangladesh by #Islamists. Allegations against him were he posted statements that are considered #blasphemy on social media. Without forensic evidence, he was detained by police, and the mob lynched him in the police station where Army personnel was also present.”
It further added, “This act of mob lynching violates the norm of being human. Those who perpetrated this crime have gone unpunished. The law enforcement agencies of Bangladesh can also be considered perpetrators in this case given that brutal crime happens on their watch. Now, some shameless Bangladeshi media are also spreading disgusting statements that this crime did not occur. I am sure Islamists and their coconspirators in law enforcement agencies will either force the family to disappear or spread lies and deceits about this lynching of Bangladeshi style.”
The HRCBM describes itself as an advocacy organisation and a global campaign platform focused on protecting the human rights of people in Bangladesh.
“Will there be Justice in Bangladesh? Will people of Bangladesh rise up to the dark forces and recognise right from wrong and talk about being human first? Will the international community remain mute spectators to these atrocities?” the Minorities group asked.
Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser to Bangladesh's interim government, has stated that reports of attacks on minority Hindus in Bangladesh are "exaggerated," implying that these incidents are "more political than communal."
In an interview with PTI, Muhammad Yunus criticised India's portrayal of the situation, asserting that Bangladesh would not turn into another Afghanistan if Sheikh Hasina were to leave power. He also questioned how India is presenting the attacks.
“I have said this to (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi also that this is exaggerated. This issue has several dimensions. When the country went through an upheaval following the atrocities by (Sheikh) Hasina and the Awami League, those who were with them also faced attacks,” the Nobel laureate told PTI.
During the student-led violence that broke out after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted, the Hindu minority in Bangladesh faced vandalism of their businesses and properties, as well as the destruction of Hindu temples. The unrest peaked on 5th August, resulting in Hasina's resignation and her fleeing to India.
Hindus, who made up 22 percent of Bangladesh's population during the 1971 Liberation War, now account for about 8 percent of the country's 170 million people. Historically, they have largely supported the Awami League, which is known for its secular stance.
This was the second time in a week that Modi raised the issue of protecting Bangladesh’s minority communities following the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's administration and the establishment of an interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.
“As a neighbouring country, I can understand the concern regarding whatever has happened in Bangladesh. I hope the situation there becomes normal soon,” he said while addressing the nation from the Red Fort.
Image source: Hindustan Times
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