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As elections approach in Bangladesh, the Catholic community, along with other religious minorities, faces rising fears of persecution influenced by the growing Islamic fundamentalism in the country following the fall of the Awami League regime. Premananda Haldar highlights the enduring trauma from a 2001 bombing at Most Holy Redeemer Church, which killed ten Catholics, underscoring the lack of justice for minority attacks. Historically, religious minorities often face violence correlating with political outcomes; they are targeted both when the Awami League wins and when it loses, reinforcing their precarious position within Bangladeshi society.
Most attacks on Christians have occurred under the Awami League, creating a climate of intimidation, particularly exacerbated since the party’s recent ousting. The rise of hardline Islamist factions poses an increased threat to the Catholic Church and its institutions. Recent protests at Notre Dame College, led by a small group of teachers, have raised suspicions of a coordinated effort to undermine Catholic education.
Additionally, the Khasi indigenous community has reported pressures to abandon their livelihoods due to encroachment by local influential groups seeking to expand tea plantations. The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council’s annual report reveals over 1,000 human rights violations against religious minorities, including murders, threats, and acts of vandalism, illustrating the heightened risks these communities face in the current political climate. The upcoming February elections heighten concerns as minorities pray for protection amidst ongoing injustices.
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Christians in Bangladesh fear rise of Islamist groups
