#AllEyesOnBangladeshiHindus:As tensions rise in Bangladesh following the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government on Monday, Bangladeshi Muslims have taken significant steps to promote peace and protect religious minorities. In an effort to counteract hysteria, they have been sharing images of themselves safeguarding Hindu temples.
Following Hasina's departure, chaotic scenes emerged, with visuals showing people ransacking her official residence and demolishing statues of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The Dhaka Tribune, a local newspaper, reported that at least 135 people were killed in the nationwide violence on Monday.
The hashtag #AllEyesOnBangladeshiHindus has gained traction on social media. Student leaders and political figures are calling for an end to the violence and are demanding the protection of religious minorities.
The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement has proposed an interim government led by Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus. They have also urged for the protection of Hindus in the country.
These actions of communal harmony come as Indian right-wing groups flood social media with unverified news about attacks on Hindus. Despite reports of targeted attacks on Awami League members, there have been no confirmed reports of Hindus being attacked. Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin has approved the release of all students recently arrested during the ongoing quota reform movement.
Videos circulating online show announcements from mosques urging people to refrain from vandalism as the country experiences a power vacuum. Indian fact-checker Mohammed Zubair shared a thread on X, highlighting the efforts of local Muslims to protect temples.
Sheikh Hasina has taken refuge in India and is reportedly awaiting approval to flee to the United Kingdom in the coming days, according to Indian news sources.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, held a meeting at his residence to discuss the situation in Bangladesh. Attendees included NSA Ajit Doval, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
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