Voice of America survey
A Voice of America survey found that most people in Bangladesh believe that the interim government is providing more security to the country's religious and ethnic minorities than the previous Awami League government. The survey results showed some differences in perceptions of security between Muslims and non-Muslims. The survey, conducted in late October, found that 64.1 percent of respondents believed that the interim government was providing more security to religious and ethnic minorities than during the Awami League government. Only 15.3 percent believed that the current government was providing worse security for minorities than before, and 17.9 percent believed that the situation was the same as before. The survey asked 1,000 respondents to compare the current interim government's rule with that of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The 1,000 respondents were selected to reflect Bangladesh's demographics. There were equal numbers of women and men, of whom 92.7 percent were Muslims. Slightly more than half of the respondents were under 34 years of age and about a quarter were urban residents.
Progress after the situation deteriorated in Bangladesh After the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, the tendency of revenge seen among various groups has hit the country's religious minorities, especially those who follow traditional religions or Hindus. Incidents of vandalism and arson have occurred in various parts of the country in the homes, businesses and religious establishments of minorities. Human rights activist Nur Khan Liton says, we have seen that minorities have been attacked because of their political affiliations, and sometimes they have been attacked simply because they are a minority. Pointing out that minorities in Bangladesh are always at risk, Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia director of the international human rights organization Human Rights Watch, said that no government does much to protect their rights. In an interview with Voice of America, she said that the indigenous groups of the Chittagong Hill Tracts have been deliberately kept apart and the military and authorities are depriving them of their rights. The Hindu and Ahmadiyya communities were under attack by extremist organizations. However, after the interim government led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus took power, the administration, various religious institutions and ordinary people came forward to guard the places of worship of the minorities and manage the situation. Human rights activist Nur Khan said, we have seen several exemplary steps, from the side of the common people, from the side of the political parties and from the side of the religious groups. As a result, it has been seen that the situation has improved within the next month.
Differences in religious views However, the survey results showed some differences in the perception of security between Muslims and non-Muslims. Only 13.9 percent of Muslim respondents think the current situation is worse than before. But 33.9 percent of religious minority respondents think that the interim government is doing worse for their security than the previous Awami League government. Dhaka resident Jayati Sarkar had never worried about her or her family's safety before. But now she is not sure. He says, during the previous government, I returned to our house in Dhanmondi with my daughter at 11 pm, I didn't feel anything. But now when I return with my daughter at around 8 pm, I feel scared. I have been in Dhaka city for 20 years but I have never been in such fear before.
A place of comfort for minorities A Voice of America survey found that 66.1 percent of Muslim respondents think that the interim government is providing more security to minorities than the Awami League government. On the other hand, 39.5 percent of religious minority respondents agree with this idea. That is, a significant portion of minorities feel that they are getting more security than before. Although Jayati is worried about security, he also sees a place of comfort. According to him, the Awami League was in power for 15 years, under the umbrella of their leaders and activists, people bought Hindu land at low prices or forced them to sell it. They are no more now. So there is a sense of comfort. Hiren Pandit, a resident of Dhaka and a program coordinator at a non-governmental organization, believes that the security situation of minorities has improved compared to August-September due to the recent deployment of the army in villages. However, he is also worried. He says that houses and houses in our villages have been burnt down and we still fear for our safety. There is a sense of insecurity.
International Concerns The sudden increase in the level of violence against minorities after the change of government in Bangladesh has also raised concerns at the international level. The spokesperson for the Indian Ministry of External Affairs regularly informs the media about his government's concerns. However, the interim government of Bangladesh has called the attacks on minorities 'isolated incidents' and said that the news of violence against Hindus is being 'exaggerated'. In an address to the nation on October 17 to mark the 100th day of the government, Dr. Yunus said that in some cases, minorities were victims of violence, but they were political. He said that the main reason for the few incidents of violence that occurred was political. But these incidents have been given a religious cover to further destabilize Bangladesh. Ganguly of Human Rights Watch says that India's support for Sheikh Hasina's oppressive rule has also put Hindus at risk and that Delhi's role will be important in the future. According to him, the international community
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