The continuing abuse against minorities, particularly Hindus in Bangladesh, has escalated with allegations that the current government under Prof. Mohamad Yunus is now involved in racial profiling Hindu officers within government departments. The Rights and Risks Analysis Group (RRAG), a New Delhi-based rights organisation, has today claimed that the caretaker government is targeting Hindu officials.
In a press communique issued today, the RRAG has called for the intervention of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, and the Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues to address these human rights abuses.
The organisation highlighted what it described as “racial profiling of Hindu officers of the Government of Bangladesh,” sharing a copy of an order dated August 29, 2024, from the Ministry of Cotton and Jute. The order directed various departments and institutions to provide a list of Joint Secretary-level Hindu officers by September 2, 2024. This directive was issued by the Ministry of Cotton and Jute following instructions from the Personnel Department of the President of Bangladesh on August 24, 2024.
These developments of racial profiling come amid a backdrop of increased violence and abuses against the teaching profession and government officials following the ousting of Sheikh Hasina’s government in August 2024. Since the fall of the Awami League government, there has been a notable rise in violence and discrimination against minorities. The actions of the new administration are seen as a troubling continuation of these patterns, prompting minority rights groups to call for greater international scrutiny and intervention.
The racial profiling is also accompanied by numerous cases of assault on Hindu teachers who were coerced into resigning by students. These students, both boys and girls from schools and colleges, forced teachers to sign blank resignation papers without any provocation. Various videos and media reports have exposed students harassing elderly teachers, tying them to trees, chanting slogans inside their offices, and even dousing them with water. The disturbing visuals reflect a broader climate of lawlessness and intimidation.
The recent report of racial profiling further compounds this growing crisis in Bangladesh, with minority groups expressing fear and calling for protection. Many groups claiming to represent minority and Hindu rights appear to be overlooking the present situation of human rights abuses against minorities in Bangladesh.
Suhas Chakma, Director of RRAG, was of the opinion, “Seeking the list of only Hindu officers by the President of Bangladesh is nothing but an act of racial profiling of Hindus by the Government of Bangladesh for the purpose of specific targeting of minorities based on their religious belief.” He expressed concern that “There is a genuine fear that senior officers belonging to the Hindu minorities will be targeted and they have been effectively silenced.”
Chakma termed the current developments as a violation of “UN human rights laws relating to racial discrimination and the rights of minorities and a fit case for the UN Rapporteurs to intervene.”
