Bangladesh’s interim government vows to fix minority attacks

Bangladesh's interim government under Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus addresses attacks on Hindus and aims for democratic reforms.

Bangladesh's new interim government said on Sunday (August 11, 2024) it was working to resolve attacks on Hindus and other religious minorities reported after the dramatic ouster of autocratic Premier Sheikh Hasina.

Hindus are the largest minority faith in mostly Muslim Bangladesh and are considered a steadfast support base for Ms. Hasina's party, the Awami League.

After Ms. Hasina's abrupt resignation and flight abroad on Monday (August 5, 2024) brought an end to her 15 years of autocratic rule, there were numerous reports of attacks against Hindu households, temples and businesses.

"The attacks on religious minorities in some places have been noted with grave concern," the interim Cabinet said in its first official statement since its Thursday (August 8, 2024) appointment.

The Cabinet said it would "immediately sit with the representative bodies and other concerned groups to find ways to resolve such heinous attacks".

Sunday's (August 11, 2024) statement from the self-styled "council of advisors" tasked with steering democratic reforms in the South Asian nation of 170 million people listed numerous urgent priorities.

The government, led by Nobel peace laureate Muhammad Yunus, ordered "support" for the families of protesters who were killed in the weeks of demonstrations culminating in Ms. Hasina's departure.