Bangladesh Minority Unity Front Protests Government's 'Failure' to Protect Minorities

Minority Front Alleges Government Inaction in Dhaka Protest

Dhaka, Bangladesh – On Monday, December 22, 2025, the Bangladesh Minority Unity Front, an alliance representing various religious minorities, staged a significant protest in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka. The demonstration accused the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government of failing to provide adequate security and justice for minority communities amidst what they describe as ongoing persecution.

Leaders from the alliance voiced strong criticisms, highlighting a pervasive atmosphere of fear and mistrust stemming from what they termed 'inadequate investigations and the absence of justice' for numerous incidents targeting minorities.

Escalating Violence and Specific Incidents Cited

Protesters pointed to a series of violent incidents and systemic persecution since the August 5, 2024, uprising that led to the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the establishment of the interim government.

• Nirmal Rozario, president of the Bangladesh Christian Association and a key figure in the Unity Front, stated that approximately 2,300 minority community members have faced torture and persecution since the August 5 uprising, with little to no justice served.
• A recent and particularly brutal incident cited was the lynching and burning of Dipu Chandra Das, a Hindu youth, in Bhaluka upazila, Mymensingh district, on December 18, 2025. Das was reportedly killed over allegations of 'religious blasphemy'.
• Manindra Kumar Nath, joint coordinator of the Minority Unity Front, criticized the government's handling of Das's killing, alleging that authorities 'failed to reach out to the family' of the victim.
• The protest also highlighted attacks on religious sites, including 'monasteries, temples, churches and pagodas,' and instances of violence against media offices and cultural organizations.

Concerns Ahead of National Elections and Government Response

With national elections scheduled for February 12, 2026, the Minority Unity Front expressed deep uncertainty regarding the ability of minority communities to participate freely and without fear. Subrata Chowdhury, a member of the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, emphasized the 'extreme insecurity' faced by Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and indigenous groups, alleging that law enforcement agencies are acting as 'silent spectators' while fear is being spread.

While the interim government has acknowledged sporadic violence and stated that additional security forces were deployed, critics like Manindra Kumar Nath have openly challenged Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, stating, 'He claims he will build a humane Bangladesh, but in reality, he is an inhumane chief advisor.' International bodies and countries, including the United States and India, have also expressed concern over the rising violence against minorities in Bangladesh, with U.S. lawmakers condemning the killing of Dipu Chandra Das.