Bangladesh: Increasing violence against minorities, Indian agencies warn

January 15, 2026

New Delhi: Violence against minorities in Bangladesh is nothing new. It has been ongoing for decades and saw a significant surge since 1989. The number of attacks increased sharply in 2025, and according to Indian officials, minorities have been consistently targeted since then.

According to a report by the Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities (HRCBM), 116 people from the minority community were killed between June 6, 2025, and January 5, 2026.

“A well-planned campaign,” violence spreads to every district

An Intelligence Bureau official said that while incidents of targeting minorities in Bangladesh have occurred before, the current situation appears different and far more dangerous. Previously, government intervention would quell violence, but that’s no longer the case.

According to the HRCBM report, this time the violence has spread to all eight divisions and 45 districts of the country. Officials say this pattern indicates a well-planned campaign with a clear message: “Don’t stop until the job is done.”

Attempt to provoke India, fears of worsening situation before elections

According to reports and intelligence agencies, attacks on minorities—especially Hindus—are not only an attempt to de-ministrate Bangladesh but also a message to provoke India. Officials claim that ISI-Jamaat-backed elements have found it easier to carry out this campaign during the tenure of Mohammad Yunus after Sheikh Hasina’s ouster.

Agencies fear that violence will escalate before the elections, as Jamaat-ul-Haq and its affiliated groups may target minorities to strengthen their radical vote bank.

Questions about institutional support and a weak justice system

The HRCBM report states that these killings are not random but part of “structural violence” linked to long-standing discrimination and demographic changes. According to the report, the minority population declined from 30 percent to 9 percent between 1946 and 2020.

Officials say that in many cases, law enforcement agencies do not take action, indicating institutional protection for the perpetrators. The report states that 48 percent of the cases were targeted killings, 10.9 percent were mob lynchings, 12.9 percent were suspicious deaths, and 6.9 percent were deaths in police custody.