‘Deeply insecure’: Why Bangladeshi minorities are scared ahead of elections

Al JazeeraCenterEN 6 min read 100% complete by Masum BillahFebruary 1, 2026 at 08:22 AM

AI Summary

long article 6 min

Ahead of Bangladesh's February 12th election, religious minorities, particularly Hindus, are experiencing heightened fear due to a rise in attacks and violence since August 2024. These incidents, including killings, arson, and property damage, have occurred following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. While the government claims many incidents are ordinary crimes, minorities feel under siege and distrustful of political assurances of safety. Historically, electoral periods in Bangladesh have seen spikes in communal violence, with minorities often targeted amidst political competition. The Hindu community, traditionally aligned with Hasina's Awami League, was specifically targeted after her ouster, further amplifying anxieties.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Jamaat-e-Islami 40% Bidyadharpur 40% Rajshahi ×250% Sheikh Hasina ×360% Awami League ×260% Dhaka ×260% Bangladeshi Hindus ×270% Sukumar Pramanik ×270% February 12 Election ×270% Bangladesh ×790%

Keywords

religious minorities 90% bangladeshi election 80% communal violence 70% political violence 70% attacks on minorities 70% hindu community 60% sheikh hasina 50% political competition 50% social tension 40%