Hill Voice, 10 April 2026, Dhaka: Communal violence—reminiscent of previous patterns-persisted across the country over the past three months, spanning the period before and after the 13th parliamentary election. The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Oikya Parishad has expressed deep concern regarding this situation.

In a press release issued on Thursday (April 9) on behalf of the organization by its Acting General Secretary, Manindra Kumar Nath, it was stated that—based on information published in the media—there were 133 incidents of communal violence during the three-month period from January 1 to March 31, 2026. Among these incidents, there were 25 cases of murder, 4 cases of rape and violence against women, 35 cases of attacks on and looting of temples, and 69 other incidents, including attacks on indigenous communities.

In January 2026, a total of 46 incidents of attacks against minority and indigenous communities were recorded, comprising: 11 murders, 1 rape, 9 attacks on temples, 1 attack on an indigenous community, 15 incidents involving assault, robbery, vandalism, intimidation, and looting of houses and business establishments, 3 cases of land grabbing, 1 case of extortion, and 5 other incidents.

In February 2026, a total of 50 incidents of attacks against minority and indigenous communities were recorded, comprising: 8 murders, 1 rape, 15 attacks on temples, 1 allegation of religious blasphemy, 17 incidents involving assault, robbery, vandalism, intimidation, and looting of houses and business establishments, 6 cases of land grabbing, 1 kidnapping, and 1 other incident.

In March 2026, a total of 37 incidents of attacks against minority and indigenous communities were recorded, comprising: 6 murders; 2 cases of rape/sexual harassment; 11 attacks on temples; 1 attack based on allegations of religious blasphemy; 1 attack specifically targeting an indigenous community; 7 incidents involving assault, robbery, vandalism, intimidation, and looting of houses and business establishments; 4 cases of land grabbing; and 5 other incidents.

The Oikya Parishad had hoped that following the formation of a BNP-led government, such attacks would occur infrequently. However, as these incidents have persisted despite such expectations, minority communities remain deeply anxious and apprehensive. The Oikya Parishad has urged the government to fulfill an eight-point charter of demands, which includes the arrest and exemplary punishment of those involved in the aforementioned incidents, compensation for victims, and proper medical treatment for the injured—alongside the enactment of a Minority Protection Act and the establishment of a Ministry for Minority Affairs and a National Minority Commission.