Bangladesh teeters on the edge of communal strife following the shift from Sheikh Hasina’s rule to Muhammad Yunus’s interim administration. Weakened state machinery has emboldened hardline Islamic factions, leading to a spike in violence against Christians and other minorities. A fresh report details harrowing accounts from Christian families now rallying for protection.
In Tetulia village of Satkhira, southern Bangladesh, five Catholic households connected to St. Francis Xavier Church protested via human chain on January 1. This followed a brutal post-Christmas attack, as per Crux. The families claim four similar incidents in the past year at the hands of local Muslims.
Sabuj Golder, a victim, shared: ‘Right after Christmas, 50 assailants with weapons attacked our small group of five families.’ His plea resonates: ‘We’re minorities, yes, but full citizens entitled to justice and safety from the government.’
A land lawsuit between the groups fuels the animosity. An adjacent village’s Christian teacher informed Crux of Christmas-timed escalations, with talks ongoing via local leaders. Adding insult, attackers blocked children’s school entry on New Year’s Day amid book handouts.
Local cop Jahangir Hossain verified the clashes, noting resolution attempts through local channels. This fits a pattern: December’s Union of Catholic Asian News piece highlighted Dhaka church attacks and pervasive dread among Christians.
As Bangladesh navigates transition, the report critiques the interim government’s minority protections. Without swift security enhancements, experts fear long-term societal fractures. The human chain protest symbolizes a breaking point—demands for equity and safety grow ever more insistent.