New Delhi: The Rights and Risks Analysis Group (RRAG) on Tuesday condemned Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus for allegedly allowing the Ansarullah Bangla Team, Bangladesh Army, and the judiciary to target religious minorities in the country.
In a statement, RRAG Director Suhas Chakma said that on October 23, several Islamist groups, reportedly backed by the interim government led by Yunus, held coordinated demonstrations across Bangladesh calling for a nationwide ban on the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).
During one protest in Dhaka, students allegedly shouted inflammatory slogans, accusing ISKCON members of acting as “Indian agents” and demanding their detention and expulsion.
The Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh also issued a statement repeating the allegations and urging a ban on ISKCON.
Similar demonstrations were held at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque and Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University.
“Disturbingly, Jashimuddin Rahmani, the former leader of the al-Qaeda–linked Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), convicted for his role in the murder of blogger Rajib Haider and other terrorism-related offences, was seen participating in the Baitul Mukarram protest. Rahmani’s re-emergence in extremist rallies underscores the support of Yunus’ government for radical Islamist elements,” Chakma said.
RRAG further alleged that on October 24, the Bangladesh Army attempted to forcibly occupy land belonging to the Arjya Kirti Buddhist temple in Bormachari, Khagrachari district, to set up a temporary military camp.
This incident followed the killing of three youths by the army on September 28 during a protest demanding the arrest of three Muslim settlers accused of gang-raping a 14-year-old girl.
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According to Chakma, such incidents reflect growing impunity surrounding sexual violence against indigenous girls, citing earlier cases including the gang-rape and murder of Chingma Khiyang (29) in Thanchi, Bandarban, and the assault of a Tripuri Hindu schoolgirl in Khagrachhari.
“Religious minorities have been facing systemic discrimination across the country. On October 21, the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) suspended student Sreeshant Roy for allegedly hurting religious sentiments through his Reddit posts, and a day later, he was sent to jail under the Cyber Security Ordinance, 2025. This shows the growing weaponisation of the justice system against minorities,” Chakma added.
