Bangladesh's Hindu minority faces rising attacks ahead of national vote

Authorities say a Hindu man was killed in December and the interim government ordered an investigation; rights groups report a wider rise in attacks on Hindus as Bangladesh prepares for a Feb. 12 national election.

Authorities say a Hindu man was killed in December and police reported arrests while the interim government ordered an investigation. Human rights groups and Hindu leaders say the killing is part of a wider surge in attacks on the Hindu minority. Those groups say they have documented thousands of incidents since August 2024. The issue has drawn heightened attention as Bangladesh prepares for a national election on Feb. 12. Key developments: - Authorities announced an investigation into the December killing and said about a dozen people were arrested. - The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council reported more than 2,000 incidents of communal violence since August 2024, including at least 61 killings and multiple attacks on places of worship. - Human rights groups and community leaders cite rising polarization and a perceived culture of impunity as drivers of the violence, while the Yunus administration has denied failing to protect minority communities. - The reemergence of Islamist parties ahead of the vote and criticism from neighboring India have added political and diplomatic tension to the situation. Summary: Reports of the December killing and the wider pattern of incidents have increased fear among Bangladesh’s Hindu minority and raised questions about safety ahead of the Feb. 12 election. The government has ordered an investigation and police say arrests were made, but rights groups say accountability has been limited. Undetermined at this time.